In Ray’s talk, How Hard is Getting Saved, he expounds upon the false belief by many that according to Acts 2:21, all one has to do to be saved is to call upon the name of the Lord.
Acts 2:21 And it shall be that everyone who shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
He goes on to quote numerous Scriptures that explain exactly what “calling upon the name of the Lord” means. He teaches that it’s not a matter of looking at just that one verse, but looking at what the whole of Scripture says on the subject and building Scripture upon Scripture. After naming about 8 more things a person must do to be saved, he says, “And now you’ll be saved? You haven’t even started!” Basically, it's not as easy as it looks.
In like manner, here are some verses that may give some insight into this subject of asking and receiving.
Matt 18:19ff Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.
Are you in fellowship with others who are in agreement in the name of Jesus?
Matt 21:21ff Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Do you have the faith without any doubts that what you ask will be done?
Mark 11:23ff For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Again, do you truly believe that what you ask for you will receive?
John 14:13ff And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Is that for which you are asking glorifying the Father through the Son?
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Do you abide in the Christ and do His words abide in you?
James 1:4ff Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does.
Do you have doubts about whether what you ask will happen? Is what you ask for only a wish, or do you truly believe God will
give you what you ask?
James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Are you asking with the right motives?
I 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.
Are you keeping His commandments and doing those things that are pleasing in His sight?
I John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.
Do you ask believing that He hears you? Is that for which you are asking according to His will?
This may lead some to ask, “How do I ask according to His will if I don’t know what His will is?”
John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Gal 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Eph 5:15ff Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
I Thes 5:14ff Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
James 5:13ff Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
I’m sure there are more, but in essence, does what you’re asking for contribute to or promote what these Scriptures say His will is for you and for those that are His?
One final Scripture, perhaps the most important for any of us to remember:
I Thes 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Does this help?
God bless,
Eric