"Anything you ask?"

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peso73

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in John 14:14 it says,“if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Why would Jesus say this, as it is so obviously not true?
I can see not expecting a million dollars to appear on your coffee table just because you pray in His name for it, but it doesn’t seem that He gives much very often just because people ask it in His name. Imagine if he did it more often, to give glory to the Father in His name, folks would probably be more prone to be religious…I certainly don’t mean to be disrespect the scripture but this verse has always bothered me. Any thoughts on this verse?
 
According to the Navarre Bible Study:

*Jesus Christ is our intercessor in heaven; therefore, he promises us that everything we ask for in his name, he will do. Asking in his name means appealing to the power of the risen Christ, believing that he is all-powerful and merciful because he is true God: and it also means asking for what is conducive to our salvation, for Jesus is our Saviour. Thus, by “whatever you ask” we must understand what is for the good of the asker. When our Lord does not give what we ask for, the reason is that it would not make for our salvation. In this way, we can see that he is our Saviour both when he refuses us what we ask and when he grants it.

*Does this help?

For instance, there was a time when if I would have won a million dollars, I would have taken the money and drifted far, far away from Christ. Knowing this, would Christ be helping me by letting me win this money, or would He be helping me by denying me this money?
 
later He tells us more in depth what He means.

“if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.”

the stipulation is remaining in Him and His words remaining in us. if we are in this position, we can’t ask for anything that is not in God’s will and plan.
 
peso73 said:
in John 14:14 it says,“if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Why would Jesus say this, as it is so obviously not true?
I can see not expecting a million dollars to appear on your coffee table just because you pray in His name for it, but it doesn’t seem that He gives much very often just because people ask it in His name. Imagine if he did it more often, to give glory to the Father in His name, folks would probably be more prone to be religious…I certainly don’t mean to be disrespect the scripture but this verse has always bothered me. Any thoughts on this verse?
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I think the key to understanding John 14:14 is in the phrase “in My name”. Recalling that “name” represents the person, no sinful or harmful thing could ever be IN Jesus’ name/Person. Hence, only what is good for us would be present in what He meant by His “name”.

Perhaps it is expressed clearer in Matthew:
Mt 7:8 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 7:9 Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 7:10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give **good things **to those who ask him!

Nita
 
Good comments all. If I could add that if Jesus were to be considered a heavenly slot machine, and guaranteed to answer all prayers exactly as offered, then effectively those that would pray in His name would become gods, in that they would be guaranteed dominion over all by the use of the name Jesus. For instance, if I in a sinful fit of jealousy I would pray in His name that my neighbors new car would get wrecked, or that world peace would ensue now, or whatever i would want I would get, I would be effectivly god and would be dangerous in how I would wield such power.
 
bengal_fan said:
later He tells us more in depth what He means.

“if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you.”

the stipulation is remaining in Him and His words remaining in us. if we are in this position, we can’t ask for anything that is not in God’s will and plan.
Click to expand...
Exactly the direction I was gonna go on this. I just finished listening to this again about half hour before reading this question:
deepinscripture.com/archives06.htm the one from 1/4/06 touches on this subject.
 
NotWorthy said:
According to the Navarre Bible Study:

For instance, there was a time when if I would have won a million dollars, I would have taken the money and drifted far, far away from Christ. Knowing this, would Christ be helping me by letting me win this money, or would He be helping me by denying me this money?
Click to expand...
Are you still drifting far, far away from Christ? If not, I’d ask for that million right now! If His words are true, he’ll surely give it to you, seeing that you’re so close to Him now, right? I wouldn’t waist another moment if I were you! Ask Him for that million!!!
 
Belfarmer said:
Good comments all. If I could add that if Jesus were to be considered a heavenly slot machine, and guaranteed to answer all prayers exactly as offered, then effectively those that would pray in His name would become gods, in that they would be guaranteed dominion over all by the use of the name Jesus. For instance, if I in a sinful fit of jealousy I would pray in His name that my neighbors new car would get wrecked, or that world peace would ensue now, or whatever i would want I would get, I would be effectivly god and would be dangerous in how I would wield such power.
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Very true! So was Jesus lying when he said, “ask anything in my name and I’ll do it.”?
 
In the name of Jesus

If I could only know what Jesus in his name wants me to do

I would pray I could accept his will

Then if I was humble enough I would see him save more souls
 
Sophie said:
Are you still drifting far, far away from Christ? If not, I’d ask for that million right now! If His words are true, he’ll surely give it to you, seeing that you’re so close to Him now, right? I wouldn’t waist another moment if I were you! Ask Him for that million!!!
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Why should I look for earthly things? I can’t bring them with me.
 
NotWorthy said:
Why should I look for earthly things? I can’t bring them with me.
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You could promise God if you won a million dollars you would give it to the Catholic church, since, of course, without that earthly thing called money the church wouldn’t exist. So, if you are a good Catholic, and anyone who claims to be a devout Catholic, should ask God for lots of money so they can give it all to the church, right? Or is the truth that your smart enough to know if you ask God for a million, you won’t get it???
 
Sophie said:
You could promise God if you won a million dollars you would give it to the Catholic church, since, of course, without that earthly thing called money the church wouldn’t exist. So, if you are a good Catholic, and anyone who claims to be a devout Catholic, should ask God for lots of money so they can give it all to the church, right? Or is the truth that your smart enough to know if you ask God for a million, you won’t get it???
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Sophie, have you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, recently?!? 😉

The truth is, that I trust God to do with me what He will. Period. If it means winning a milllion dollars and helping others, so be it. If it means languishing in poverty and maybe lighting the lamp of one poor soul on my journey, so be it.
 
peso73 said:
in John 14:14 it says,“if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” Why would Jesus say this, as it is so obviously not true?
I can see not expecting a million dollars to appear on your coffee table just because you pray in His name for it, but it doesn’t seem that He gives much very often just because people ask it in His name. Imagine if he did it more often, to give glory to the Father in His name, folks would probably be more prone to be religious…I certainly don’t mean to be disrespect the scripture but this verse has always bothered me. Any thoughts on this verse?
Click to expand...
It is quite simple to see that the very object of asking for million dollars is not to give more glory to God so probably Jesus said, “later, i’m gonna give you something you really need.” 😉

As for being “more prone to be religious” i guess they will become religious for wrong reasons. Think of what would you ask if you would be “in Him and with Him” and that you follow His commandments. Then do that in His name. That is what the verse is about. Not about asking for material wealth. He never meant to make everyone millionaires! He meant to save us from our sinful nature and give us life, the real and heavenly LIFE.
 
Jesus said, in the same Gospel,
IF you remain in me and (IF) my word remains in you,
you may ask for anything in my name and I will do it.

That is a BIG qualification. REAL big.
You have to be very attuned to the will of God
and be making a request in full harmony with His Will.

Jaypeeto4
+JMJ+
 
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