Connect 1 John 5:15 with Matthew 7:7-8 on asking and receiving. The Certainty of Being Heard 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.” • John writes as if the matter is settled: hearing automatically guarantees receiving. • “We already possess” underscores a completed reality—God’s answer is as sure as His character. • The verse follows 5:14, which anchors asking “according to His will.” John assumes that condition remains in force. Jesus’ Open Invitation Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” • Three escalating verbs—ask, seek, knock—paint a picture of persistent, faith-filled approach. • Jesus moves from promise (“it will be given”) to universal application (“everyone who asks receives”). • The emphasis is present and personal: God responds directly, not abstractly. How the Two Passages Interlock • Jesus states the broad promise; John explains the inner assurance. • Matthew focuses on our action; 1 John focuses on our confidence. • Together they teach that prayer involves: – Initiative on our part (ask/seek/knock). – Alignment with God’s will (1 John 5:14). – Assurance of possession even before visible results (1 John 5:15). Conditions That Safeguard the Promise • According to His will (1 John 5:14). • In Jesus’ name—representing His character and purposes (John 14:13-14). • Offered in faith without doubting (James 1:5-6). • Flowing from an obedient life (John 15:7: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”). Guardrails Against Misuse • Prayer is not a blank check for selfish desires (James 4:3). • God’s timing refines our requests; delay is not denial (Luke 18:1-8). • Silence can redirect us to a better “yes” than we imagined (Ephesians 3:20). Reinforcing Scriptures • Psalm 34:15—“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.” • Mark 11:24—“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” • Hebrews 4:16—“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…” Living the Promise Today 1. Start every request by seeking God’s will in Scripture. 2. Ask clearly, believing He hears. 3. Keep seeking and knocking through active obedience. 4. Thank Him in advance, because possessing in faith precedes possessing in sight. |
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