By John Stenen Many Christians have read the words of Jesus found in John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Wow! What a wonderful promise.
However, many wonder why they do not receive answers from God when they do pray. I can tell you one of the big reasons why; it’s because we do not obey the previous verses from verse 12-15. Christians are to love one another with the love of God and actually obey what He commands us to do. I talk to many ‘Christians’ who are unforgiving and unloving towards others, including family members. (Read Mark 11:25).
You and I are to forgive anybody and everybody, because God has forgiven us of so much sin. Many in the Church are so worldly and motivated by the flesh rather than the Spirit of God; God tells us in Hebrews 10: that we are to go to Church, but they disobey for numerous reasons and do not. We are to study God’s Word, yet they do not do that either. We are to support the gospel, but they do not. We are to share our faith with others in hopes of bringing them to Jesus, but there is disobedience there also. Many ‘Christians’ gripe and complain if the sermon goes more than 10 to 15 minutes and if they happen to come under conviction of their sin - they get very upset. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer.”
So what’s the remedy? REPENT! Seek God with your whole heart; Receive His Word, believe His Word, and obey His Word. If you do this, you will be on the right path that leads to eternal life. Remember, salvation can be obtained only one way, through Jesus Christ. (John 14:6). God bless.
