I John is a letter written to believers (those who have already accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior), written by the apostle John (author also of the gospel of John and Revelation, fisherman, son of Zebedee, and one of Jesus' top three boys with Peter and James). "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of Him" (I John 5:13-15). 

It never ceases to amaze me how people, even some who call themselves Christians, criticise God for not answering prayers (understand that I say "those who call themselves Christians, those using the name only). There are those who claim His name, but have no relationship with Him. If there is no relationship, no prayer, no scripture reading, one can not know how to ask anything "according to His will," because he doesn't know what His will is. I could say I'm a Rockefeller, but I doubt the bank would be too impressed if I wrote a check in that name. I remember R. W Shambach saying, "It's impertinent to ask God for things when you don't even know Him." John writes, "If we claim to have fellowship with Him, yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live in truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin" (1:6-7).

It is important to realize that everyone is not an heir to His promises. We have to come to God on His terms, and His terms are based on our response to His Son. Our right relationship with God, according to John's letters, means we understand that we are sinners in need of grace, we recognize and receive the grace that comes through Jesus Christ alone, we know that the world tries to interfere and corrupt our relationship with Him, and we accept that we must love one another because He loves us all. "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he can not go on sinning because he has been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother" (3:9-10). We can not continually, consciously, choose sin, yet claim to be in right relationship with God. Will we slip sometimes? Of course, "but if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins" (2:1b-2a).  Without Christ, there is no claim to that promise. "The man who says, 'I know Him,' but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him" (2:4).

God loves all the people of the world unconditionally, but unconditional love does not equal unconditional promises. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (unconditional love), that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (conditional promise)" (John 3:16). Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6). I remember a heart-breaking conclusion to a discussion I had with some friends one time, that the only sadness in heaven will be God's sadness for those who did not repent and accept the blood of Christ. Since there are no tears in heaven, we probably won't even remember those who we were close to on earth that didn't receive Christ, for how could we not grieve for their souls eternally in hell, but God will remember them, and His heart will be eternally broken for His loved ones who did not come to Him.

The invitation has been written and sent to all, signed in His blood. It is up to us to RSVP--yes, Lord, I come!

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for Your unconditional love and Your great promises and provision for those who love You. Wash me with Your blood, keep me away from the corruption of the world, and help me to love others as I want to be loved. Help me to reach out daily to those who so desperately need You. Let Your banquet table be full! I come! Amen.