Obedience and Love

1 Jn. 3: 22

and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him. 

John is teaching that there is a direct correlation between obedience and answered prayer. But in the 2 verses preceding verse 22, John addresses an important preparatory concept. He says that obedience to the truth or the word is one way that reassures our hearts that we are in Him. But there are times when our hearts condemn us. Perhaps Satan brings up old issues, or maybe even current sins that we are struggling with seek to condemn us. But John says that God is greater than our hearts. His promises override what our hearts say, and He has promised that our sins are forgiven. [Not to say that we shouldn't confess the everyday sins that we struggle with.] So then if our hearts do not condemn us saying that we are not worthy to be saved or that we are too sinful for God to forgive, then we can have confidence in God, confidence that whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him.  How glorious is that! Answered prayer! 

The verse says answered prayer is linked with keeping His commandments and doing what pleases Him. What are the commandments? John answers that question immediately. And this is the 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 commandment abides in God, and God in Him. Believe in Jesus and love each other! Simple yet needing so much thought and purpose. We must live intentionally seeking out ways to love and honor fellow believers, and at the same time, deepen our relationship with Jesus. If we do this not only do our prayers get answered, but we are abiding in God and He in us! And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. And how do we have confidence that all this is true and that these are not just empty words? Because of the Holy Spirit who indwells our bodies and whose temple we have become. What a glorious 6 verses!

Father,

My heart is full of praise and gratitude for all the blessings You have given me. Teach me through Your great grace to be obedient to the commandments and to love my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Help me to seek to know You in prayer so that my thoughts and Your will may be on the same page. 

In Jesus name,

Amen