Jesus, in the days before His death told His followers another would come, to remind them of His words and further instruct them. When Jesus returned to His disciples after His resurrection, He opened the scriptures to them, and explained His place in them. In 1 John 5:14-21, John writes, “the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding to know Him who is true.” We are in Him and also in His Son Jesus Christ, In Him is the true God and eternal life. By His Spirit we have a new understanding for confidence in prayer, in our relationship with Him, and to grow in Him.
Confidence in Prayer
The confidence we have is this, if we pray, in line with His heart, He hears us. In addition, if He hears us, which is already ascertained, then we know our prayers are already answered. But there is a need here for understanding even in prayer, John writes about a brother’s sin which does not lead to death and one that does. The amplified specifies leading to life as (that which can be repented of and forgiven.) Pray for the first and God will give him life, but as for the one whose sin leads to death he states, “I do not say that he should pray about that.”
In Our Relationship
Another aspect of our new understanding is this. Whoever is born of God does not sin,. No longer are we in a system of rules and regulations but rather a spiritual relationship. There the believer keeps his heart pure before God, the One he adores, and the wicked one does not touch him. We are born of God while the world remains swayed by the wicked on.
As We Grow
In our new understanding, God is true. With Him is eternal life. We don’t stay as babes drinking only milk. As Peter writes in 1 Peter 2;2, “desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” John warns, “Keep yourselves from idols.” Let nothing stand between you and the Lord Jesus. Let His word live in you, receive from the vine and bear fruit. In Him, we gain a new understanding where we find confidence in prayer, in our relationship with Him, and as we grow in Him.
