Alive on the Vine: A Look Into Johnනියැදිය

Day 3: Anything?

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. (John 15:7-8 NLT)

“Anything you want” is a broad category, yet Jesus stated it plainly. He prefaced it with a condition—the offer is made to those who draw life from him and let his words shape them—and followed it with a context of fruitfulness and glory. But it’s still a sweeping promise. Those intimately connected with him can ask and receive anything that helps them carry out his mission and further reveals the Father.

Like couples who try to get on the same page in making big decisions, we need to synchronize our hearts with Jesus in asking for big things, which means knowing him experientially and intimately. But the context of fruitfulness is not a narrow one. Producing “much fruit” clearly includes becoming Christlike, declaring truth, and making disciples. But advancing God’s Kingdom on earth is a broad category: carrying out the Kingdom mission, embodying Kingdom truth, giving with Kingdom generosity, loving with Kingdom compassion, and more.

The heart behind our requests is key. Asking for a bigger house could be selfish, but it could also reflect a Kingdom desire for a better family environment or greater generosity and hospitality. The substance of the request doesn’t always define it; the longings that generate it do.

Such nuances have caused many Christians to focus more on what this promise doesn’t mean than on what it does. Still, the promise remains, and we dare not portray Jesus as a promiser who footnotes everything with fine print. Sometimes he just wants to give to his people because he loves us, whether or not we can rationalize every request with an overtly Kingdom purpose. He wants his branches to bear fruit in all sorts of ways, as long as the Father is glorified. His generosity in itself is a characteristic of the Kingdom.

Re-Envision Your Desires

Many Christians assume that if they truly want something, it must not be God’s will. They might never say so, but they utter platitudes about God only giving us what we need, never what we want. Jesus says no such thing. He invites his people to commune with him in the depths of their spirit, let their hearts be transformed, and then ask whatever their hearts desire. God wants to interact with us in the place of our longings. He put many of those desires there himself.

Don’t shy away from this promise. Fill your heart and mind with Kingdom thoughts and desires, but then ask with boldness. He will redirect you if he wants to, but don’t be surprised when he doesn’t. Eternal life springs forth with glorious gifts that satisfy the hearts that love him.