Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Good question, Charles James!

1 John 3:21: "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him."

These two verses do not give us all the conditions for answered prayer, but they emphasize the importance of obedience. One great secret of answered prayer is obedience, and the secret of obedience is love. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.… If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” (John 15:7, 10). 
https://bethelchurchmuncie.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/wiersbe-commentary-new-testament.pdf

But isn't it impossible to keep Christ's commandments? Yes! That's why we need the Holy Spirit. And so, did you notice that John 14:15 is connected to John 14:16 with an "And"? "if you love Me," Jesus said in John 14:15, "keep My commandments." How? The Holy Spirit is the answer! Because Jesus said in this very next verse, John 14:16, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."

Jesus’ statement If you love me, you will obey my commandments --[NET BIBLE] provides the transition between the promises of answered prayer which Jesus makes to his disciples in vv. 13-14 and the promise of the Holy Spirit which is introduced in v. 16. So, see John 14:13-14, 15-16.

May 29 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report