1:19-20 What do we learn from what Paul says here?
1:19-20 What do we learn from what Paul says here?
We learn that every promise of God is still valid for today - able to be appropriated through faith in Jesus Christ by all who will believe God for the promises and meet the conditions. The word Amen in V20 affirms the truth of what is being said and declares the certainty of the promises being fulfilled. This is a revelation on the integrity of God's word (CP Nu 23:19; Josh 21:45; 23:14; 1 Ki 8:56; Isa 55:10-11; Ro 4:17).
There is not one promise of God that is no to a believer, and providing one meets the conditions, there are no limitations on what one may ask for (CP Psa 66:18 with Mt 17:20, 21:21-22; Mk 11:22-26; Lu 17:6; Jn 14:12-14; 15:7-8; 1Jn 5:14-15). 1Jn 5:14-15 here teaches that if we ask anything according to what God's word - the bible - says, He will give it to us.
Will here means word - God's word is His revealed will. We do not have to ask on the basis, ".....if it be thy will Lord", but "...according to thy word Lord". If we know God's word then we know His will, and we will never ask for anything outside His will. This ensures that the answer will always be yes.
This stresses the importance of God's word always abiding in us and we in Him as Jn 15:7-8 teaches. The fruit we bear that always glorifies God in Jn 15:7-8 are His promises being fulfilled in our lives. (See also comments on Mt 21:17-22, Mk 16:17-18, Jn 14:12-14, Jn 15:7 and 1Jn 5:14-15 and author's studies Confessing God's
Word in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith, Signs and Wonders in God's Redemptive Plan in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1), The Work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament Church and Making the Impossible Possible in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2).