I recently was blessed to add to my library the complete set of books by Oswald Chambers. You know that I have referred to him often in my posts as I have found over the years that his writing always challenges me to go deeper in my relationship with Jesus. And this morning I want to share a challenge he set before me last week that contains one of the most challenging words in the Bible … “IF”
John 14:13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. ESV
Chambers frequently refers to and here he asks a number of questions:
- Are we fulfilling this ministry of the interior?”
- Are we allowing our spiritual life to be frittered away?
- Is Jesus more and more dominating every interest in my life?
We need to take time to fully realize what is the central point of power in our life. How much time of every day do we spend thinking about that point of power? That is part of the answer to all of these questions and the key to Jesus response.
John 15: 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ESV
Are we abiding in Jesus? Are we continuing to act and think and work from that center? That is what is required if we want Him to respond to our request. What is the greatest factor of power in our life? Is it work, service, sacrifice for others, or trying to work for God? Here is where Chambers’ Ministry of the Interior comes into play. The thing that ought to exert the greatest power in my life is the Atonement of the Lord. It is not the thing we spend the most time on that molds us; the greatest element is the thing that exerts the most power. That’s why abiding in Him is so important for His bride … Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do … If you abide in me.
The disciple who abides in Jesus doesn’t need to ask what God’s will is … He “IS” the will of God and as Chambers puts it … His or her apparently free choices are God’s fore-ordained decrees. Mysterious? Logically contradictory and absurd? Yes, but a glorious truth to a saint … IF