CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14)

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14).

The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.

First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.

Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as believing in Jesus, doing His Works, asking in Jesus’ Name.

“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:14)

IN CONTEXT

“Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14)

REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:

“If I ask anything in Your name, Jesus, You will do it.” (John 14:14)

It can be tempting or at least easy to misunderstand what Jesus is saying here or to take His instructions out of context. Imagine – ask for anything at any time and, PRESTO! Talk about a great genie! But, of course, that is never the case with Jesus.

Jesus clearly says, “Truly, truly (the double emphasis – translated from ‘amen, amen’ – should alert the reader that a foundational truth is to follow) I say to you, (#1). The one who believes in Me, (#2). The works that I do, (#3). He will do also.

Even when carefully read, one could assume that if Jesus isn’t going to do what I ask, that I will be able to do it for myself. Once again, that would be a misunderstanding.

The ‘secret’, if it can be called that, to all of this is found in His words, “because I am going to the Father”.

John 16:5-7 informs us that, “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, grief has filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”

It is the Holy Spirit, when He indwells the believer, who regenerates you, baptizes you into the Body of Christ, gives you His power, comforts you, fills you with joy and peace, sanctifies you, gives you righteousness, convicts you of sin, gives you His Gifts so He can prompt you to do these works by His power through you.

So, yes, “If you ask anything in His name, He will do it.”

Ask. Seek. Knock and receive!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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