I John 5:13-15
13 These things I have written to you
who believe in the name of the Son of God,
in order that you may know that you have eternal life.
14 And this is the confidence which we have before Him,
that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us regarding whatever we ask,
we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Introduction
Our text this morning opens the final section of John’s letter.
Now remember, the false teachers who are troubling John’s flock are doing so by both their teaching and their living. That is, they not only deny Christ, they also claim to have the solitary track to God.
Therefore, throughout this letter, John has responded to the claims and threats of these false teachers by giving us God’s essential testimony about His Son and the life changing grace that Jesus alone provides.
In our text this morning, John begins his closing remarks to his readers.
Verse 13
Notice at once, John opens this final section of his letter by saying these things I have written to you. What things? Simply put, John is pointing back to what He has said over the course of the entire epistle. Why? Is John intending to review the major points of the letter? No. Instead, as John brings his letter to a close, he turns to underscore what he wants his readers to take away from the epistle, especially in light of the false teachers’ threats and claims. Next, notice to whom John is writing. John says that he has written specifically to those who believe in God’s Son. In other words, every take away and assurance that John is about to provide is fundamentally Christ-centered in nature. That is, these take aways and assurances are secured by Christ alone and thus are true only of those who believe/receive Him. However, notice exactly what John’s intended audience believes: John says they believe in the name of God’s Son. Why? How is believing in the name of God’s Son different from simply believing in God’s Son. Not only that, why is this difference so important. Remember, in biblical times names did more than just identify a particular person. Instead, they often declared the significance of that person, especially in light of God’s purpose for them. Thus, the name “Jesus” means “YHWH saves”. In other words, to believe in the name of God’s Son is to believe more than just one’s own self-derived opinion. Instead, it is to believe what God has said about His Son.
Next, notice the first take away that John provides: John says I have written in order that you may know that you have eternal life. Importance: remember the false teachers who are troubling John’s flock claim to have the only way to God. Thus, they say to actually reach God you will need their approval and their course of spiritual enlightenment. The result is that their claims and teachings threaten to undermine the confidence and the singular focus on Jesus that God intends His people to have. As such, John responds that God has sent God, His Son to supply all that God requires. Therefore, there is nothing more that needs to be added. There is nothing more required. Instead, to have the Son is to have salvation/life (v12). Simply put, John’s first take away is that the believer is to know with absolute certainty that Christ has fully and completely redeemed and reconciled them to God FN#1.
Verse 14
Next, notice John’s second take away is the believer’s confidence. John says this is the confidence we have before Him. Importance: notice at once the picture that verse 14 provides: the setting is the very throne room of God. Not only that, the Greek word that John uses here for confidence is a compound word made up of the two words all and speech FN#2. As such, it depicts one who has the security, standing, and assurance to speak openly and plainly before his superior. Notice then the point: John says that the assurance of our salvation in Christ gives us the confidence that we have full access to the Father’s very Throne of Grace. Thus, in the face of the false teachers’ claim to exclusive mediation, John reminds us that as God’s children we have direct access to our Father. Simply put, verse 14 depicts our salvation (not as a meager acceptance) but as the security/confidence of our Father’s full and warm embrace.
Next, notice the nature of our confidence: John says we have the assurance that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. However, please note what 14 does not promise: verse 14 is not a promise that you will get whatever you want as long as you claim it enough or believe it enough or want it enough. Remember, God does not enable or fund your rebellion and harm. Instead, we are to ask according to God’s will. That is, we are intentionally and self-consciously to seek what pleases God. However, at the same time, verse 14 is not a legal loophole that excuses God or negates our expectations of Him in prayer. In other words, verse 14 does not say that you must know the precise details of God’s hidden will before you can expect anything from God. Instead, verse 14 provides the assurance that when we are seeking to please/follow God and therefore ask for the sort of things that God desires, then we have the confidence that we will receive that request from Him (in whatever form or however modified it may be). In other words, when we seek to please God we know that it is God’s delight to give us that which blesses/nurtures/furthers us in our walk. Thus, while what we have asked might not be the best thing for us, what we are genuinely seeking (God’s will/way/glory) will always be granted FN#3.
Verse 15
Next, notice the extent of our confidence: John says that if we know God hears our requests, then we know that we have those requests from God. Importance: the notion that God hears us does not describe an indifferent, passive, mere perception of sound. Instead, it means that we have our Father’s ear, attention, and care. As such, verses 14 and 15 assure us that every time we turn to God, He hears our prayers and delights to attend to our needs FN#4. Notice the result: John reminds his readers that there is absolutely no merit to the false teachers’ claim that they have exclusive access to God. In turn, there is absolutely no need for their mediation or approval. Instead, as God’s children we have full access to God through Jesus, His Son.
Bottom line: so far the two things that John wants you to take away with you from this study of his epistle are: first, John wants you to know with certainty that Christ has secure the whole of your salvation. You are God’s child and He is your Heavenly Father forever. Second, John wants you to know the absolute confidence that defines your relationship with God. You have access to the very throne room of His presence; whenever you call He hears you; and He delights to attend to your every need. In short, you are precious in His sight and He is with you and for you forever.
Footnotes
1] The first assurance, knowing with certainty that we have salvation and life in Christ provides fortitude and direction for our walk
2] Note: the noun here “confidence” is the Greek word παρρησία. It is a compound word made up of πᾶς (all) + ῥῆσις (speech). Thus, the picture it provides is of one who has the freedom/position/boldness to speak his mind publically or before a superior. In fact, John uses the word 9x in his Gospel and each time it carries the meaning to speak publically/openly/plainly. From this basis the word also came to mean confidence before a superior. In turn, it carries with it both the notion of a security of relation/standing as well as the notion of a clean conscious (thus nothing to be ashamed of and no secret to hide- which would prevent speaking plainly). – See John’s use of this same word and notion in 2:28, 3:21; 4:17
Importance: at once the idea of eternal life and reconciliation are not merely abstract spiritual or future matters. Instead, they are concrete and are already fundamentally directing our lives. Thus to be reconciled to God through the atonement provided by His Son is to (a) know to whom we are to turn (b) know the manner in which to turn (seeking His will not the world’s desires) and (c) it is to have the utter confidence that He receives us and delights to attend to our needs.
3] The second assurance, that God hears and answers us provides confidence and expectation in our prayers
4] Notice the Gospel in the indefinite relative “whatever” and in the plural “requests”: John says we have our requests whatever they are when we ask according to God’s will. In other words, God’s goodness towards us is not the exception or only something that occurs occasionally and thus is not something we can rely on. Instead, it is something that happens in every single instance. Therefore, we can rely on it, look for it, and be confident of it in every single prayer that seeks to please Him.