The apostle John wrote how Jesus said, “He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned”, and in chapter fifteen and verse seven of his book John shared how Jesus told His disciples what happens, “if you abide in me, and my words abide in you”, where we read:
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
The verse reads, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ...” John began with Jesus' words, “If you abide in me” which means “whether and in case you, disciples of Jesus, remain, sojourn and tarry within me, Jesus”, “and my words abide in you” or “and my, Jesus', speeches, discourses, mandates, decrees and orders remain, sojourn and tarry within you, disciples of Jesus” the following shall occur. John shared how Jesus presented the condition that “if” His disciples “remained and continued” in their relationship with Him and His “mandates and speeches” “remained and continued” in them, they would have the following happen for them.
The verse goes on to say, “... you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.” John continued with the words, “you shall ask what you will” which means “you, disciples of Jesus, will be able to crave, desire and require whatever the disciples of Jesus want”, “and it shall be done unto you” or “and whatever the disciples of Jesus crave, desire and require shall be performed, made ready and produced to you, the disciples of Jesus”. John shared how His disciples could “ask” for whatever they desired and it would be provided to them when they “abided” within Him and His “words”.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn an important principle in the Kingdom of God. Jesus presented the condition of “abiding in Him and His word” to His disciples as He told them they could “ask” for whatever they desired and it would be produced. The key to understanding this idea of Jesus is to know first, Jesus was speaking to His “disciples” who were men that “denied themselves, took up their cross and followed Him”. They also were to “continue” in their relationship with Him and keep His “words” rather than any others. In other words, they would not “crave, desire and request” things that were for selfish reasons. They rather would be seeking “things” that were for the promotion of the “gospel of Jesus Christ” and His Kingdom. God loves people, and when He begins a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus, His desire is to have them “continue” with Him and be employed in His Kingdom to promote His “gospel of salvation”. Those who are wise will carefully examine Jesus' words and “ask” according to the “Divine” purpose of Jesus Christ.
Next time John shares how Jesus says, “Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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