We Have Confidence Before God

"Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him." (1 John 3:21-22, ESV)

1. John starts this passage with the word "beloved" his term to say my little loved ones. (cf. 2:7, 3:2) Because he knows the heart condems believers sometimes (v.20) he wants to remind them of the importance of "confidence before God."

2. Whether one has or lacks confidence before God affects one's relationship with God. The one who stands condemned by his heart can have no confidence that his prayers will be either heard or answered.

3. One advantage of an uncondemning heart is "confidence before God." The Greek phrase literally says "confidence toward God" meaning the confidence by which we turn toward Him. It is one fruit of justification in the Christian life.

" Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2, ESV)

4. This is the second time in this letter that the word "confidence" (parresia) has been used and it will appear 2 more times. The first and third time refers to confidence before God in the day of His judgement.

" And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." (1 John 2:28, ESV)

"By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world." (1 John 4:17, ESV)

5. This time and the fourth refer to confidence in prayer. This confidence is the boldness with which we appear before our Father and not like the convict before the judge.

"and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him." (1 John 3:22, ESV)

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." (1 John 5:14, ESV)

6. This confidence we have is not just for access but to actually have our petitions answered.

"In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." (John 16:23-24, ESV)

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." (John 14:13-14, ESV)

" “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, ESV)

7. The statement "we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him" is one that has such power for the believer but also is dangerous for those who try to misuse it. There is always an order in God's kingdom.

8. First, our prayers must be presented in the name of Jesus so that He "may bring glory to the Father."

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13)

9. Notice in Matthew 6 that before we pray "give us this day our daily bread" we already have asked that God's name be glorified, His kingdom come, and His will be done. God answers our requests when our objective is to glorify Him, promote His rule and to do His will.

"Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matthew 6:9-13, ESV)

10. We need to note that God answers every prayer, but many petitions receive a negative answer. In His wisdom God knows what is best for us and for our requests. Paul prayed three times that his thorn be removed, listen to what the Lord told him.

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:8-10, ESV)