“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭NASB

This verse alone has sparked multiple denominations and is one of the main verses that people who believe in a “Prosperity Gospel” use to prove their point. Prosperity Gospel is a teaching that if you want something, like a Ferrari, all you have to do is ask God for one and it’s yours. You might be thinking, “Brandon, I’ve tried that already. It doesn’t work.” I agree! It doesn’t work. If you simply look at this verse with tunnel-vision, you would definitely come to that conclusion, especially if you read it like, “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” But that’s not how God has it. 

The key portion to this verse is the first half. “IF you abide in Me, and My words in you...”This is the difference maker. If you abide in God and let His words stick with you and to be buried deep like roots in your heart, then whatever you ask, it will be done for you. If you abide in God, your focus will be heavenly minded. If you truly allow for His words to abide in you, you will follow His commands. 

This idea comes with intentionality built into it. We have to intentionally stay “in God”. We have to continue to pursue God daily. Setting aside time for Him and to speak with Him. How would we abide in God if we didn’t make time and space for Him. God will continue to pursue you, but you won’t always pursue God. Not in your nature at least. It’s the continued “renewing of your mind” that Paul speaks about in Romans that allows for you to continue to pursue God faithfully, to abide in Him, and allow for this verse to be real in your life.