According To His Will

[1Jn 5:14-15]

1John 5:14-15 (NASB) – This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. [15] And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

Confidence: Gk. parrhesia (par-rhee-siy’-a); freedom or frankness in speaking, saying freely all that one thinks, all that he pleases. Unwaivering, fearless, and unhesitating confidence of faith and confidence with God. Parrhesia removes fear and anxiety which hinder man’s relation to God. It comes as a result of the sense of guilt being set aside (Heb. 10:17-19; 1Jn. 3:21; 4:17) and manifests itself in undoubting confidence in prayer (Heb. 4:16; 1Jn. 5:14).¹

Ask: Gk. aiteo (ai-te’-o) v. To ask, to request.

Will: thelema (thel’-ay-mah) is a form of thelo (thel’-o); a determination, choice, or decree. God’s desire, pleasure, will.

People have remembered John’s phrase “according to His will,” and many Christians have allowed the devil to help them to think they had to pray, “Lord, if it be thy will.” But praying, “if it be thy will,” when God’s Word has already clearly stated His promises – is a confession of ignorance and unbelief of His Word. That kind of praying does not work. You may as well carry a rabbit’s foot around in your pocket for good luck!

How can you find out what God’s will is?

God’s Word is God’s will! You can find out God’s will by reading it. The Bible is God’s will, His covenant agreement and promises, His Word.

The number one question Christians have is, “What is God’s will for me?”

God’s will is the Bible. It is what God has provided for us, and He wants us to enjoy what He has promised. Many of the promises are for now, in this time, and this age.

We must study to find the scriptures that reveal God’s will for us. Then we can approach God with boldness: “…this is the CONFIDENCE that we have before Him….” When we pray for the things that the Bible says are His will, we know that He hears us! God is always watching (listening) for His Word to return to Him (Jer. 1:12). And when we know He hears us, we know we have the petitions we ask of Him. We know we have them, praise God!

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for the listeners of this message. Thank You for another opportunity to plant incorruptible seed into good soil.

Father of glory, give them spiritual wisdom and the insight to know more of You. Send Your Spirit to meet up with my brothers and sisters. Lift the veil off, so the eyes of their heart may be enlightened. Help them realize how great the hope is to which You have called them – the magnificence and splendor of the inheritance promised to Christians – and how tremendous the power is available to us who believe in God.²

My Confession:

I can be respectfully bold with God because, I ask for things according to the Bible! He hears me because I pray His Will! I do not guess and say, “if it be thy will,” because I know what God has promised me. I believe what His Word tells me. I don’t doubt that, He wants me to enjoy what He has provided. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond

¹Zodhiates, Spiros. Hebrew Greek Study Bible–New American Standard (Chattanooga: AMG, 1984; revised edition 1990) p. 1865.

²Adapted from Ephesians 1:16-18 (Phillips NT)