1 John 3:22
The sermon emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience in receiving from God, and that keeping God's commandments is a necessary condition for receiving.
John Gill emphasizes the assurance believers have in prayer as expressed in 1 John 3:22, highlighting that God answers prayers made in faith, according to His will, and in the name of Christ. He clarifies that while keeping God's commandments does not earn merit, it is essential for those who seek to be heard by God, as it reflects a heart aligned with His will. Gill points out that God's love and acceptance precede our actions, and that true obedience stems from faith and love, ultimately leading to confidence in receiving what we ask from God.
Text
Ver. 22. And whatsoever we ask we receive of him,.... According to his promise, Mt 7:7; that is, whatever is asked according to the will of God, in the name of Christ, and for his sake, and in faith, nothing wavering, but believing in God, in his covenant and promises, for these are provisos in the case; and such as ask in this way may exercise an holy confidence that they shall receive; and indeed they do receive what they ask for; see 1Jo 5:14;
because we keep his commandments; not that keeping the commands of God is the meritorious cause of receiving anything from him; for when men have done all they can, or are assisted to do, they are but unprofitable servants in point of merit: whatever is received from God, as it is in consequence of asking, so it is entirely owing to his own grace and favour, and for the sake of Christ; but keeping the commands of God is a necessary adjunct, or, as Calvin on the text calls it, an inseparable accident, or what necessarily belongs unto, and enters into the character of such, who are heard and answered by God, and receive at his hands; for there is a great deal of truth in what the Jews say to the blind man, Joh 9:31; and which may serve as a comment on these words:
and do those things that are pleasing in his sight; as keeping of his commandments is; not that these things ingratiate into the love and favour of God, or are the causes and conditions of it, for the love of God is prior to anything of this kind; nor are they the causes of men's acceptance with God, for the acceptance both of persons and services is only in Christ the beloved; but these things are what God approves of, when done in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to his glory: and since he hears such persons that are worshippers of him, and do his will, and has promised good things to them; this is therefore a reason strengthening their confidence in him, that what they ask they shall receive.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Promise of God
- A. Whatever we ask we receive of him
- B. According to his promise (Mt 7:7)
- II. The Conditions of Receiving
- A. Asking in faith, nothing wavering
- B. Asking in the name of Christ
- C. Asking in accordance with God's will
- III. The Importance of Keeping God's Commandments
- A. Not the meritorious cause of receiving
- B. A necessary adjunct to receiving
- IV. Doing Things Pleasing in God's Sight
- A. Keeping of his commandments
- B. Doing things from a principle of love
Key Quotes
“Whatever we ask we receive of him, according to his promise.” — John Gill
“Keeping of his commandments is a necessary adjunct, or, as Calvin on the text calls it, an inseparable accident, or what necessarily belongs unto, and enters into the character of such, who are heard and answered by God, and receive at his hands.” — John Gill
“Doing things from a principle of love is what God approves of when done in faith.” — John Gill
Application Points
- We must ask in faith, nothing wavering, and in the name of Christ to receive from God.
- Keeping God's commandments is a necessary condition for receiving from God.
- Doing things from a principle of love is what God approves of when done in faith.