1 John 3:22 “And whatsoever we [ask], we receive of him, because we keep his [commandments], and do those things that are [pleasing] in his sight.” Commentary: Let us look at the bracketed words in the Greek. The first word “ask”, is a unique word. It means making a request based on equal footing with the giver that is what he has is also mine! Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you in heaven! What he has is already mine! This is the covenant! Jesus died on a Cross over two thousand years ago yet all those born before him or after him can have what he has! Redemption! Eternal life! Blessings! Ask and it shall be given you pressed down and overflowing! The promises of God are already given to us we cannot earn them just have the faith or trust in God to receive them! In the natural we ask something from someone because we do not have what they possess! You already have the possessions of God you need to activate them through faith! Without faith it is impossible to please God! Sometimes we ask amiss! We ask for things we already have! The second word “keep” means to help and watch over guard and preserve! This is what we should be doing with the Word of God! When popular culture says homosexuality is good we lift up a standard against the lies of Satan with the scriptures! The third word “commandments”, means a lawful order issued by the Commander! If you have been in the military you will better understand this word! The Commander sets all priorities! While in the military the Commander of our military unit called me to his office one day! What now? Am I in trouble? He told me I was to only worry about what he worries about! Dismiss any other worries! My only concern should be his concern! Then we will be on the same page and you will be a good soldier! Your ten worries are as follows! First you! Then the list went on and by the time he was done I came out of his office a new man! We are to be concerned with Jesus Commandments! Love your enemies! Treat other people as you want to be treated! Love your neighbor! Forgive as you have been forgiven! Who is your commander? God? Satan? Self? Our final word is “pleasing”. To please God means to be in agreement with God’s Word! We ask in accordance with it, we keep it guarded and preserved, follow the orders of our Commander, and please God by being in agreement with his Word! This is the scriptural ideology the Apostle John was conveying to the church past, present and future! James & Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com