Abiding in God’s Word

John 15:7 NKJV

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. “

Many of us frequently quote the popular Bible verse, “Ask, and you shall receive”. We often share it with friends and loved ones. Some display it as framed art or on their WhatsApp status. Jesus indeed encouraged the disciples in His ‘Sermon on the Mount’ to ask God for their needs. However, we often overlook an important condition.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”. Yet, in John 15:7, He emphasizes that if we abide in Him – if we follow His teachings and obey His commandments – then we can confidently ask for what we desire and He will grant it to us.

While asking God may seem easy, obeying His commandments can be challenging. This struggle is often why many of us don’t receive what we request. Our lifestyles may not align with God’s will, or our attitudes may reveal a lack of faith in His promises. It’s crucial to establish a right standing with God and then approach Him in faith with our desires.

So, how do we abide in God and ensure His words abide in us?

1. Transform Your Speech: Speak life into others and refrain from negativity (Ephesians 4:29). Let your words be seasoned with kindness and gentleness.
2. Demonstrate Goodwill Through Actions: Let your actions reflect your words. Practice goodness and kindness, showing others that you are not of this world but that you belong to God (Matthew 5:16).

By embodying these principles, we align ourselves with God’s will, creating a fertile ground for God to answer our prayers.