“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.”

1 John 5:13-15

Devotional from Newport Beach CA

John places his final bookend here, by repeating his main purpose, which is that by believing in Jesus we might gain eternal life (vv. 13, 20). It is also the climax toward which the whole letter builds. We can know that we have received this life, without the aid of the special knowledge claimed by false teachers. He also wants us to have confidence in the power of prayer and boldness to approach God’s throne (Heb 4:16). John was taught to pray ‘your will be done’ by Jesus himself (Mt 6:10); he reminds us that God hears us when we pray according to his will (v. 14) and that, when we do, we will receive whatever we ask.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, there is no greater love than yours, no greater sacrifice made for me than yours. Help me, that my following you will be steadfast and that my life one that continually shows others who you are.

Especially in the year 2025, may I approach your throne boldly and receive the answer in prayer — specifically for those whom I am praying for their return to the Lord Jesus.

(Edited from Encounter with God)