1 John 3:22
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.
Children of the same parents are expected to enjoy equal and unconditional love from their parents. Even though parents tend to claim they love children equally, there seems to be a disparity in this claim. Issac preferred Esau to Jacob because of the former's venison, while Jacob loved Joseph more because the latter was the son of his beloved wife and his old age. Even in our present day, it is natural to be more endearing to one of your children and make him or her your favorite. This happens when that child is well-behaved and tends to adhere to the parents' instructions. It is a natural thing to be attracted to a person who possesses excellent moral behavior and obedience. As God's children, we pray to Him with our hearts and hopes of receiving answers. However, only those who do things that give Him pleasure and keep to His commands will get whatever they ask. Scripture tells us that the condition to be blessed by God is to do what He instructs (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). Believers who receive whatever they ask are those who know and do His will because, even before they call, He hears them. Even Jesus attests to it that He gets what He needs from the Father because He does things that please God. Obedience is one way by which we express our faith in God, and we know that nothing is impossible for the man who believes. Our faith guarantees that we will receive whatever we ask if they are within the confines of His will as we also strive to please Him.
Psalms 119:80
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Deuteronomy 8:6
Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.
1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.