Addressing the disciples, Jesus tells them what seem to be quite obvious things: God is good, He will give His children what they ask of Him. If even man, being more evil than good after the fall, still does not wish evil upon his own children and fulfills their requests, then...
Addressing the disciples, Jesus tells them what seem to be quite obvious things: God is good, He will give His children what they ask of Him. If even man, being more evil than good after the fall, still does not wish evil upon his own children and fulfills their requests, then what is there to say about God? Meanwhile, as is evident, to the disciples, as to many others, including us today, what the Savior said was far from obvious. Why is that? Jesus answers this indirectly by calling for persistent prayer, for urgent requests. It would seem everything is simple, but under what conditions can a request be truly persistent?
Obviously, at least two conditions are necessary here. First, what is asked for must be truly important to the one asking. And here the main thing is not to deceive oneself or others (we are not speaking of God here; He cannot be deceived in any case): if what you ask for is truly important, absolutely important, if it is the goal and meaning of life, at least at the moment when you make the request, there is a good chance of receiving what is asked for (unless, of course, it is a sin or a direct violation of a commandment). But if the request is repeated as a traditional ritual act, while deep down the one asking does not really believe in a result, there can be no result at all: for such a prayer only shows that the one making the request does not really need what is asked for all that much.
And secondly, the one asking must unconditionally trust Him Whom he is asking. Not just believe in His existence, but exactly trust, as one trusts a father or a close friend. But if there is no trust, if the one asking addresses God as a petitioner to an official, knowing that he will most likely do nothing, one cannot count on help. And not because God punishes the distrustful for their distrust, but because trust is the spiritual core upon which relationships are held together, whether relationships with God or with man. And any help from God to man can only be provided in the context of relationships based on trust. And if there is no trust, there will be neither a relationship nor help.
4
4:1 More and more - It is not enough to have faith, even so as to please God, unless we abound more and more therein.
4:3 Sanctification - Entire holiness of heart and life: particular branches of it are subjoined. That ye abstain from fornication - A beautiful transition from sanctification to a single branch of the contrary; and this shows that nothing is so seemingly distant, or below our thoughts, but we have need to guard against it.
4:4 That every one know - For this requires knowledge, as well as chastity. To possess his vessel - His wife. In sanctification and honour - So as neither to dishonour God or himself, nor to obstruct, but further, holiness; remembering, marriage is not designed to inflame, but to conquer, natural desires.
4:5 Not in passionate desire - Which had no place in man when in a state of innocence. Who know not God - And so may naturally seek happiness in a creature. What seemingly accidental words slide in; and yet how fine, and how vastly important!
4:6 In this matter - By violating his bed. The things forbidden, here are three: fornication, Th1 4:3;the passion of desire, or inordinate affection in the married state, Th1 4:5; and the breach of the marriage contract.
4:8 He that despiseth - The commandments we gave.Despiseth God - Himself. Who hath also given you his Holy Spirit - To convince you of the truth, and enable you to be holy.What naked majesty of words! How oratorical, and yet with what great simplicity! - a simplicity that does not impair, but improve, the understanding to the utmost; that, like the rays of heat through a glass, collects all the powers of reason into one orderly point, from being scattered abroad in utter confusion.
4:9 We need not write - Largely. For ye are taught of God - By his Spirit.
4:11 That ye study - Literally, that ye be ambitious: an ambition worthy a Christian. To work with your hands - Not a needless caution; for temporal concerns are often a cross to them who are newly filled with the love of God.
4:12 Decently - That they may have no pretence to say, (but they will say it still,) "This religion makes men idle,and brings them to beggary." And may want nothing - Needful for life and godliness. What Christian desires more?