“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).
Part Two
The word “ask” in this verse is an interesting one. In the original Greek, it is aiteo (ahee-teh’-o) meaning to “ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.”
Because of its usage in Matthew 5:42, some Bible scholars have interpreted it to mean to “demand.” In that verse, the Lord Jesus was emphasizing that a rude, insensitive, boorish person can ask a favor of us in an insolent manner making us unwilling to comply with his request. He did not mean to imply that we are to ask in this way.
G. Campbell Morgan, a great Congregational minister of yesteryear, commented on John 15:7: “When we abide in Christ and His words abide in us, we can literally demand what we will and it shall be granted.” The word demand here needs some clarification.
Aiteo (or ask) can have the connotation of putting in a requisition. Picture a large supply depot with all kinds of items in storage. As part of the organization, you find yourself in need of a particular item in stock. You obtain a requisition slip, have it signed by the properly authorized person, and send it through channels.
In a sense, your requisition is a “demand” in that it places a “demand” upon the existing supply. However, that “demand” or request is in no way arrogant or authoritarian. It is simply a request for supplies.
Here Jesus tells us that we can “requisition” from heaven’s warehouse, knowing that when duly authorized by His signature (His name), our request will be honored and our need met.
Let’s ask largely and receive largely.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publisher
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.