What does "if we know that He hears us" imply about God's nature? Setting the scene 1 John is John’s pastoral reminder that believers have eternal life in the Son and can live with settled assurance. In 5:15 he writes: “And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we already possess what we asked of Him.” Key phrase under the microscope: “He hears us” John is not describing a possibility but a certainty. “If we know” assumes the fact and presses us to grasp its consequences. What this certainty reveals about God’s nature • Personal attentiveness — God is not an impersonal force; He listens. • Omniscience — He must know every detail to hear “whatever we ask.” • Relational nearness — He is close enough to attend to our words and hearts (Psalm 145:18). • Covenant faithfulness — Hearing carries the Hebraic idea of acting; He commits to respond (Exodus 2:24). • Sovereign generosity — He delights to grant what aligns with His will, so John can say we “already possess” the answer. Scripture echoing the same portrait • Psalm 34:15: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.” • Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things.” • Matthew 7:11: “How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” • 1 Peter 3:12: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayer.” Living confidence Knowing He hears us turns prayer from wishful thinking into certain communion. We approach: – boldly, because His attentive ear is promised (Hebrews 4:16). – expectantly, because the answer, in His timing, is already secured. – obediently, aligning requests with His revealed will so that His faithful nature is displayed through our lives. |
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