1 John 3:22 says, “Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” This is a wonderful biblical promise! However, it’s easy to take this verse out of context. We might want to claim it when we seek God’s provision, because we believe we meet the conditions of this promise. We think we’ve been good and, therefore, deserve a reward.
But this little gem is tucked in between some important Bible verses that will give us an idea of what John was talking about. So, let’s go to 1 John 3:18 -24 (ESV) -“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him.”
Let’s go back to verse 22. “Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.”
So, according to John, what things please God?
God’s provision goes way beyond our needs. He provides us with supernatural grace to love and forgive.
John makes it quite clear that we are called to love one another, not just in words but in actions. God instructs us to love in both deed and truth. And I am first to admit, it’s not always easy to love, especially those who have done harm to those I love. I also admit, I often feel guilty when I find it hard to love someone.
I wonder if the phrase “whatever we ask, we receive from Him” relates to being empowered to love those who can be difficult to love. Perhaps John’s petition is really about asking God to equip us to love when we don’t feel capable of doing so. I’m just reflecting on that idea. Otherwise, this verse seems out of place in the context of the passage.
The promises of God are indeed treasures, and many of these promises are specifically for us as His beloved children, whom He knows and cherishes as individuals. But, many of His fulfilled promises empower us to serve and bless others, advancing His kingdom of love. As John reminds us in his letters, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God.” 1 John 4:7. Love is a gift from God, and the more unconditional love we extend to others, even to those who are difficult to love, the more God pours His love back into our hearts.
Until next week,
©2024 Katherine Walden
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