August When You Don’t Feel Like a Christian (1 John 3:19–24) (2)

Assurance #2: Answered prayer (3:21–23)

When we assure our hearts by remembering our acts of love, our hearts will no longer condemn us.

What will be the result, according to 1 John 3:21b?

1 John 3:21 says, 'Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

This verse points to the powerful assurance that comes when we live in alignment with God's commands and love others in action and truth.

When our conscience — or heart — does not condemn us, it means we are walking in obedience and sincerity before the Lord.

This gives us a deep sense of peace and boldness in our relationship with God. Having 'confidence toward God' means we can come before Him without fear or doubt.

It's not arrogance, but a humble assurance that He accepts us and hears us.

This confidence is rooted in our awareness that we are doing our best to live faithfully, not just in words but through loving deeds.

This verse encourages believers to examine their hearts and live with integrity, so that they may enjoy a secure and unshakable relationship with God.

The word translated confidence means we have freedom and openness of speech.

If we let our hearts condemn us, we feel guilty and unworthy to pray, However, when our hearts don’t condemn us, we can come before Him with confidence.

This doesn’t mean we are self-righteous.

It means we are confident of our standing before God and have confidence we receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him(3:22).

1 John 3:22 says, 'And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Let’s break this verse down from both a scriptural and grammatical point of view by focusing on the verbs and their meanings:

Ask (Greek: aiteō - αἰτέω)

Tense: Present  Voice: Active  Mood: Subjunctive 

This verb refers to the act of requesting or petitioning, often in prayer.

The present tense implies continual or repeated action, pointing to believers' ongoing relationship with God through prayer.

The subjunctive mood here reflects the conditional or potential nature of the request — 'whatsoever we may ask.

Receive (Greek: lambanō - λαμβάνω)

Tense: Present  Voice: Active  Mood: Indicative 

This verb means 'to take, to receive, or to obtain.

The present indicative implies a factual action or a present reality: we are continually receiving from God what we ask, provided the conditions of the verse are met.

It's a statement of confidence in God's responsiveness to prayer.

Keep (Greek: tēreō - τηρέω)

Tense: Present  Voice: Active  Mood: Indicative 

This verb means 'to guard, to observe, or to maintain.

Again, the present tense shows continuous action.

To 'keep his commandments' means not only to obey them one time but to live in ongoing obedience.

The indicative mood underlines that this is the believer’s current and continual practice.

Do (Greek: poieō - ποιέω)

Tense: Present  Voice: Active  Mood: Indicative 

This verb means 'to do, to make, to carry out.

It emphasizes active behavior that reflects one’s faith.

In other words, this is not passive observance but a lifestyle of action.

Believers seek to continually live in a manner that pleases God.

Summary and Explanation:

The verse gives a powerful promise: whatever we ask from God, we receive — not as an unconditional guarantee, but based on a relationship that reflects obedience and aligned desires.

The verbs are all in the present tense, indicating that this is not a one-time transaction but an ongoing process of prayer, obedience, and spiritual faithfulness.

- 'We ask' — continually bringing our petitions to God. 

God has never promised to solve our problems.

He has not promised to answer our questions … He has promised to go with us.

- 'We receive' — an ongoing experience of God's provision. 

God’s promises are made conditionally; not that the condition on our part deserves anything at God’s hand, but when God hath given the condition he gives the thing promised.

- 'We keep' — consistently observing His commandments.

Let God’s promises shine on your problems.

  - 'We do' — habitually acting in ways that please Him.

God’s promises are sealed to us, but not dates.

The theological implication is that answered prayer is closely connected to a life of obedience and alignment with God's will.

It's not just about asking but about living in a way that honors the One we are asking from.

Whatever God can do, he unquestionably will do, if he has promised it.

The first phrase of this verse is one of the greatest promises in the Bible: and receive from him anything we ask.

However, we must remember every promise in the Bible has a what?

A premise!

Every promise is conditional, and so this promise is only valid if two things from God’s Word are governing our lives: precepts and principles.

First, John says we obey his commands.

Precepts are commands or written orders that apply to particular areas of our lives.

For example, what does Psalm 119:4 tell us about God?

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

A precept is a clear command, such as: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Eph. 4:31).

Second, we must do those pleases him (1 Jn 3:22b), which refers to principles.

1 John 3:22 KJV 1900

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

A principle is a fundamental truth or motivating force that can be applied to many areas of life.

For example, there is no precept, or command, in the Bible that says, “Thou shalt not use crack cocaine,” which is an addictive drug.

However, a principle that applies to many areas of our lives does forbid it.

What does Paul write in the last phrase of

1 Corinthians 6:12?

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12

1 Corinthians 6:12 says, 'All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.'

In this verse, the Apostle Paul is addressing Christian freedom.

Some in the Corinthian church were using the idea of freedom in Christ to justify behaviors that might have been questionable or even harmful.

Paul responds by clarifying the difference between what is allowed and what is wise or beneficial.

‘All things are lawful unto me’ means that, through Christ, believers are no longer under the Old Testament law as a means of earning righteousness.

However, Paul immediately adds, ‘but all things are not expedient’ — in other words, not everything that is lawful is helpful, profitable, or constructive.

Just because something is allowed doesn’t mean it’s good for you or for others.

He repeats the point: ‘All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.’

 Paul is highlighting another important truth — freedom should not lead to bondage.

If a behavior or habit begins to control you, such as an addiction or selfish indulgence, you’re no longer exercising freedom; instead, you’re under its power.

Paul is teaching that Christian liberty is not a license to do whatever we want, but an opportunity to choose what is best, what builds up, and what honors God.

Our choices should reflect wisdom, love, and a desire to stay free from anything that could enslave us spiritually, emotionally, or physically.

Allowing anything to control, master, or bring us under its power, is wrong.

This is because God wants us to be filled with, or controlled by, the Holy Spirit exclusively (Eph. 5:18).

Answered prayer depends on keeping God’s precepts and principles.

How is this statement reminiscent of Jesus’ words in John 15:7?

When we remainor abide in Christ and His words remainin us, we obey both the precepts and principles of the Bible.

John then adds this truth: And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us (1 Jn 3:23).

Faith in Christ and love for each other cannot be separated.