Ask and it shall be given?
Happy Sabbath! Verses like this are taken out of context by the prosperity preachers that have become mere motivational coaches, rarely quoting scripture during a so called sermon. You know the types, with finely groomed hair, $10,000 custom tailored suits, facial paint that ends at the neckline so they look tanned on camera. They take this verse and apply it like the genie in the bottle and add that if our faith is sufficient, anything we ask will suddenly appear as though by magical beasts it is delivered to our front door in the night. But if you read the whole chapter for context, the entire reference regards the extension of Grace in the spirit, interceding for what the spirit wants, and not the material desires of the flesh or for things of lucifer’s world.
The chapter begins by laying the foundation for righteousness before the throne, where the final judge presides, imploring that we keep His commandments and are found to be above the world, born again of God and not of man. The supplications of the spirit, therefore, will already be in accordance to the will of God, if by the spirit we make our petitions heard. If in the spirit we desire God, then by the spirit we confront the world, and that which we petition of God is by nature intended to combat the evil that consumes the world. And in that fullness of the spirit we can rest assured that our petitions before the throne will be heard, and by Grace be granted unto us for this purpose of overcoming evil in the world, whether it be a manifestation of sickness, death, addiction or corruption, demonic control or possession, our petitions are heard and we are granted power over the principalities of darkness.
The chapter is an outline for becoming successful in the spirit, above the world, not to be successful in the purposes of the world which is destined to destruction, but to rise above, petitioning from the spirit for things above the world, that all evil be defeated by the will of God through our petitions in the spirit that are not of the flesh. There can be no successful relationship with God in the absence of a righteous heart of repentance, so that by Grace in the spirit our voices are heard, and the powers of darkness are subject to our petitions before the throne according to His will.
Please do not fall victim to the prosperity preachers, who are more closely aligned to New Age universalism, “The Secret” styles of deception that lead God’s people directly to the lion’s lair and isolation from God. Evangelism should not be classified as an “industry” contributing to gross domestic product, fishing for profit and not for men. Follow the Holy Spirit, not the lights and limousines and silk tongues with promises of prosperity. Prosperity is a blessing that follows those who keep the commands of the Most High God and live their lives according to the spirit, not something to be attained by petitions rooted in misinterpretations of the word of God. Rather, many blessings follow the repentant heart that seeks God. It is in repentance and submission to Yehshua that our enemies are rebuked and bound, and we begin to prosper in the spirit before God. The manifestation of a repentant heart that keeps His commands is a blessed life free of lucifer’s destructive manipulations. As this chapter begins to close in 1 John 5:18, pay attention to the language here:
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
When we are born out of lucifer’s realm and into the Kingdom of God, we follow His commands, we keep ourselves in a Christian manner, put away idolatry (verse 21 - pray for our catholic brothers), and a blessed life will follow when there are no obstructions to the flow of blessings in your life. Prosperity is not something we ask for, it is what follows those who keep His commands and constantly seek Him. Let God decide how we should prosper in accordance with His will, for in asking inappropriately we may be shorting ourselves the greater blessing that awaits beyond this world.
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (new Jerusalem) For without (commandments) are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:11-17)
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