Is It True? "Whatever You Ask in My Name Will Be Given."

Don't you love famous scriptures that are consistently taken out of context? This is a biggie. People often become offended when God doesn't answer their prayers the way they want. Or they say He didn't answer them at all. They call the Bible a farse because they asked in His name and didn't receive what they wanted. May I remind you, dear reader, that God is not a soda machine. You don't put your dollar in and demand your order. It's not an exchange of goods. There is a reverence and condition to the request.

John 15:16 reads, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide [remain], so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give it to you." [ESV] Ah... context. Jesus is referring to producing fruit (doing good work, making a mark, efforts) for the Kingdom. Not so that you can have a Maserati. Don't get me wrong... I'd love a house overlooking the ocean, and if my efforts on behalf of the Kingdom lead to one, then fantastic! But the goal is not selfish ambition... it's His glory. A house overlooking the ocean is the blessing that comes from obedience and His abundant favor. Capeesh?

Verse 16 is actually repetition. Because Jesus sets up the key for asking for anything in His name in the previous verses. He teaches about how remaining in Him, abiding in Him, is the way to have the ability to do all things and how trying on our own leads to not producing much fruit, the ability to do nothing, and withering that leads to death. Sounds harsh? It's not harsh... it's about love. Do you think that's too far a leap? He's saying, 'Stay connected to me, and you can do all things and have all things!" Isn't that how it is with our kids? If they stay in a relationship with us, they receive the abundant blessings that we wholeheartedly long to give them, but when they throw tantrums or disrespect beyond what is acceptable, we cut their butts off because that is the proper response to rebellion: loss of privilege. And better yet... Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full." It feels good when we produce good fruit! Who doesn't feel good about a job well done and want to say, 'Look! Look what I was able to accomplish!' (You're lying if you say you don't like that.) We all like it. I'm not talking about the insecure people who NEED it to exist. I'm not talking about a narcissistic supply. I'm talking about a job well done and the contentment that it produces.

Verses 7-9 say, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask what you wish, and it will be done for you. By this, my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As my Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. Abide in My love." Yes, Sir! Sign me up! I'll take some productivity for the Kingdom with a side of Joy any day!

God does not force our obedience. He's not going to cram the offer of joy down your throat. If you'd like to step into the transaction, receive His love, and the ability to accomplish all you set your mind to, then voila! This is where you sign up. He offers you His love and investment in you, and you get to grow and flourish by obeying his commands. Don't get hung up on the word obey. It's not that big of a deal. And the commands are these: Love God and Love Others.