What does 1 John 5:15 reveal about the nature of God's will? Text 1 John 5:15: “And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.” Literary Context John’s first epistle closes with a triad of certainties: eternal life (5:11–13), effective prayer (5:14–15), and protection from sin and the evil one (5:18–20). Verse 15 is joined to verse 14 by “and,” completing one sentence in the Greek. The thought-flow is: confidence → hearing → receiving. The statement is not an isolated promise; it presumes the regenerated life (5:1), obedience (5:2–3), and faith in the incarnate, crucified, resurrected Son (5:5–12). God’S Will As Revealed In 1 John 5:15 1. Knowable and Relational God’s will is not an inscrutable force but is relationally disclosed. “He hears us” implies personal interaction, consonant with Exodus 33:17 and John 10:27. Prayer is dialogue within covenant, not monologue into the void. 2. Consistent With His Character Verse 14’s qualifier, “according to His will,” anchors requests in God’s moral nature. His will is holy (1 Peter 1:16), righteous (Psalm 145:17), loving (1 John 4:8). Any petition out of step with these attributes is, by definition, outside His will. 3. Benevolent and Generous “We already possess” underscores that God delights to give (Matthew 7:11). The aorist completion anticipates tangible provision, echoing Numbers 23:19: He does what He promises. 4. Sovereign Yet Inviting Participation God remains sovereign (Isaiah 46:10), yet He ordains means: human petition aligns with predestined ends (Ephesians 1:11; James 4:2). Prayer is the ordained conduit by which His decreed will is executed in time. 5. Grounded in Christ’s Mediation Confidence (παρρησία) rests on the high-priestly advocacy of Jesus (1 John 2:1; Hebrews 4:14-16). The Father hears us because He first hears the Son (John 11:42). 6. Enabled by the Spirit The Spirit teaches believers to ask aright (Romans 8:26-27). Thus the Triune God is fully engaged: the Spirit prompts, the Son intercedes, the Father grants. Harmony With The Broader Canon • Matthew 6:10 – Prayer for God’s will to be done on earth parallels 1 John 5:15’s confidence in its accomplishment. • John 14:13–14 – Requests “in My name” are those congruent with the Son’s revealed purposes. • 1 John 3:22 – Obedience and love provide the moral setting for answered prayer. • Psalm 37:4 – Delighting in the LORD aligns desires with His, producing granted petitions. Two Dimensions Of God’S Will • Decretive (sovereign, secret): what God unconditionally brings to pass (Daniel 4:35). • Preceptive (moral, revealed): what God commands humans to do (Micah 6:8). Prayer functions at the intersection: we ask that His preceptive will be fulfilled; afterward we trust His decretive wisdom in the outcome (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29). Theological Implications 1. Assurance of Salvation – The same “we know” framing verses 13 and 15 links answered prayer to the certainty of eternal life. 2. Sanctification – Prayer attuned to God’s will shapes desires toward holiness (Philippians 2:13). 3. Missional Confidence – Requests for gospel advance rest on divine intent (Acts 18:10). Practical Application • Examine motives (Psalm 139:23-24). • Saturate mind with Scripture to discern will (Romans 12:2). • Pray in Jesus’ name—i.e., representing His interests (Colossians 3:17). • Thank God for the answer before seeing it, reflecting “we already possess” (Philippians 4:6). Summary 1 John 5:15 reveals a will that is personal, benevolent, and sovereignly effective. God invites His children into participatory alignment with that will through confident prayer, assured that petitions congruent with His nature are as good as granted the moment they are uttered. |
    |