What right do we have to demand from God

[macca]

Gen 15:1 Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
9 The Lord told him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 So Abram presented all these to him and killed them. Then he cut each animal down the middle and laid the halves side by side; he did not, however, cut the birds in half. 11 Some vultures swooped down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away.
12 As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. 14 But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth. 15 (As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.) 16 After four generations your descendants will return here to this land, for the sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction.”
17 After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses. 18 So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day.
Here God promised to Be Abraham's protector and provider.
The person of the Trinity who passed between the animal halves in front of Abraham was the same person who died on the cross.
Our covenant representative made no promises regarding the covenant.
One of the laws of any covenant of this time is any party to the covenant who broke a covenant promise had to die. This is why God put Abraham to sleep. He knew Abraham (and we who followed) could not keep the covenant promises.
So if God broke the covenant He had to die; which is impossible.
Notice that God did not have any blood to shed at this time; then God shed His blood to prove the covenant at the cross.
It was blood that fulfilled covenant requirements for both parties of the covenant; God and human.
John 15: 1 I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. The message will prune if you let it. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
Ask in these verses is the Greek word aeteo; it has a strong meaning;
To be adamant in requesting and demanding assistance to meet tangible needs, such as food, shelter, money and so forth.
God has promised on covenant oath to be our God. That means that He will not just accept our worship. But that He will take care of us and supply all our needs; this is a promise from God. If He breaks that or any other covenant promise He must die; which is impossible for God.

Mat6: 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

This is not suggesting rudeness or arrogance. It speaks of a conversation with a superior. It means approaching this superior being with reverence and honour, but demanding or insisting on something being done or supplied.
If we abide in Him, then we have the right to demand the sustenance in the same way the branches demand sustenance of the vine; but so many people ignore the abide and just demand.
Which one are you? Do you abide, or just demand?

 

[junglman]

Hey macca, thought it was real good. We do have the right to demand if we are abiding in Him, and that is the promise that He has given us.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

This is not suggesting rudeness or arrogance. It speaks of a conversation with a superior. It means approaching this superior being with reverence and honour, but demanding or insisting on something being done or supplied.
If we abide in Him, then we have the right to demand the sustenance in the same way the branches demand sustenance of the vine; but so many people ignore the abide and just demand.
Which one are you? Do you abide, or just demand?

There's no way to get around the issue of arrogance when you approach God with the attitude that you can demand anything of Him, no matter how you sugar-coat the words and try to tip-toe around the matter.

To be able to legitimately demand something from anyone implies that I am somehow entitled to what I'm demanding. God's covenants do not confer entitlement on the recipients. How prideful and presumptuous it would be of me to approach the Throne of Grace with such an attitude!

SLE

P.S., By the way; branches, being inanimate, cannot demand anything.

 

[Coconut]

"But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!"
Ask in these verses is the Greek word aeteo; it has a strong meaning;
To be adamant in requesting and demanding assistance...

Actually "ask" according to Strongs means to beg.

macca, your message begs the question if you know the God
of Abraham at all. I`m with SLE in saying its prideful and presumptuous to even consider thinking we can demand anything from God.

Gen 18:27 Abraham spoke again: "Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything.

 

[jiggyfly]

This is not suggesting rudeness or arrogance. It speaks of a conversation with a superior. It means approaching this superior being with reverence and honour, but demanding or insisting on something being done or supplied.
If we abide in Him, then we have the right to demand the sustenance in the same way the branches demand sustenance of the vine; but so many people ignore the abide and just demand.
Which one are you? Do you abide, or just demand?

Philippians 2:5-8
5 Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing;* he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.* 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.

Philippians 4:19
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

There are many more scriptures that I could post but I think these two are sufficient. to be Christ-like is to demand nothing, nothing at all. A demanding servant or child for that manner is a sure sign of a lack of submission and possibly rebellion and the remedy is discipline.

The truth of this matter is seen in Philippians 4:19, if you are abiding in Christ there is no need to ask or beg or demand anything because all of Father's provisions are in Christ. Christ is sufficient, there is no lack in Him and thus all your needs are met.

 

[rlowe]

-
The only thing I know of that we could rightfully DEMAND is
an eternity in Hell.

For if you have the right to demand something, then you deserve it.-

 

[rlowe]

Ask in these verses is the Greek word aeteo; it has a strong meaning;
To be adamant in requesting and demanding assistance to meet tangible needs

Best of my understanding,
To be adamant in requesting means to ask & keep on asking, to seek & keep on seeking, to knock & keep on knocking, beseeching our Heavenly Father.
-

 

[Faith4Bride]

Macca-i think that this is a very good message but i think demand is the wrong word to use maybe.

it is being said that to " demand" is to act as though you deserve something.

deserve is not the correct wording either i do not believe. the truth is this- God gives promises based on " if's". If we fulfill His IF then we have right to that promise Because He promised and cannot lie.So our right is not because of our works but because He has promised to us that he will do such a such if we will do such and such. This is part of our covenant.

So instead of demand- i would put forth that we have a firm expectation of what was promised and we walk in that faith. It is not presumption to stand in faith- or command- what God has already said He already gave and promised if we abide in Him.

For instance God promised that IN christ, He has already healed us by His stripes. So If we are sick we can stand in faith that we were healed or we can command the healing. this is not presumption because God has already provided it and told us He provided it and promised it to those who believe. It would be presumption to deny His promise and say against His word and promise that He may not want to give us the promise He already gave.

We see examples in the word such as the woman with the issue of blood, she believed and walked in faith that if she touched his hem she would be healed! this was not presumption and she was healed because she believed but today most would think her horrible for " presumming" what God already promised. In truth she was just faithful to believe the word He already gave.

The aposltes walked around and commanded things to be done, commanded people healed commanded devils to come out etc.. This is because God already gave that authority to us if we are abiding in Christ because that authority is Christs, and those things are His will and He is in us and we are in Him.The same authority is given to us in Christ Jesus and is not presumption but instead the gospel!

So we do not need to " demand" from God that something be done because He has already promised. What we need to do is believe His promises without doubting, take the authority given to us and command it done or pray with firm expectation and walk in faith no matter what is seen or felt or heard etc...

Hbr 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

[junglman]

John 1:12- 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:" I think that we all come to the conclusion that if we believe in the Only Begotten Son of God, that God have given us the right or power to become(in a since of a continuing process) sons of God and joint heirs with Christ.

A question. A newborn baby, does it demand from its mother or father? Of course it does, at 2 am in the morning it demands that you get up and give him or her some warm milk. Why? Because he or she is hungry and the only thing that he or she can do is scream and cry, because they are in need.

Another question? How many of you if you are hanging of the side of a cliff, and hear someone coming, will not scream for help? I think all of would. Why? Because we are in dire straits, we see no way out, we see only death, and in that situation when see a ray of hope we cry out, "Help me!!" in a since it is begging,but also it is a command.

There numerous example that we can come up with. Sometimes we demand of people, as sons and daughters we demand or parents without realizing what we are doing. Sometimes demanding can be with actions and without a word being spoken. I understand with people it is different, for they are flesh and human, but lets look at what the Bible says.

King David:
We can all agree that David was a man after God's own heart. He worshipped and prayed continually. Psalms 27:7- 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me." We see that he is crying, so we get a since that he is begging, but also the "Have mercy also upon me, and answer me" is indeed in the imperative mood, which means he is demanding that God show mercy and answer his request. Also, Psalms 108:6 & 126 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me.12 Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless." These Scriptures are also in the imperative mood, in which David is commanding God.

Nehemiah:
Nehemiah 4:4: 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!

Nehemiah 6:9: 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”
Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

Jeremiah
Lamentations 5:1:1 Remember, O LORD, what has come upon us;
Look, and behold our reproach!

Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the persistent widow

We see that she said to the judge, "Get justice for me from my adversary." That is a command, she is demanding it. Verse 6 and 7 say, 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?" That we should as well do as the widow did with the judge.

There are many other examples in the Bible of people, who have a continual relationship with the Father, and those that abide with Christ, because as children He has given us that right. When you pray, do you say, "God, give me mercy", or "Fill me with Your Holy Spirit". Do you say, "God heal me of my sickness or the sickness of a loved one"? I believe that we do. These are all command forms, and demanding of God.

However, this must be done with fear and trembling, and reverence to the Most High. If we are living are lives in the way that we see fit and not according to His Word, then no, we have no right and are in danger of His wrath. But, as children, yes we do have that right to approach Abba Father, Daddy, with that intimacy and respect.

Be Blessed

 

[Faith4Bride]

VERY GOOD POST!!!!! amen i agree fully!

I think it is the word " demand" that what got in the way of it being recieved because of how we percieve that word but this was a good explination of it to perfectly show the truth !:boy_hug::girl_hug:

 

[wade.hinkle]

John 1:12- 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:" I think that we all come to the conclusion that if we believe in the Only Begotten Son of God, that God have given us the right or power to become(in a since of a continuing process) sons of God and joint heirs with Christ.

A question. A newborn baby, does it demand from its mother or father? Of course it does, at 2 am in the morning it demands that you get up and give him or her some warm milk. Why? Because he or she is hungry and the only thing that he or she can do is scream and cry, because they are in need.

Another question? How many of you if you are hanging of the side of a cliff, and hear someone coming, will not scream for help? I think all of would. Why? Because we are in dire straits, we see no way out, we see only death, and in that situation when see a ray of hope we cry out, "Help me!!" in a since it is begging,but also it is a command.

There numerous example that we can come up with. Sometimes we demand of people, as sons and daughters we demand or parents without realizing what we are doing. Sometimes demanding can be with actions and without a word being spoken. I understand with people it is different, for they are flesh and human, but lets look at what the Bible says.

King David:
We can all agree that David was a man after God's own heart. He worshipped and prayed continually. Psalms 27:7- 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me." We see that he is crying, so we get a since that he is begging, but also the "Have mercy also upon me, and answer me" is indeed in the imperative mood, which means he is demanding that God show mercy and answer his request. Also, Psalms 108:6 & 126 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me.12 Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless." These Scriptures are also in the imperative mood, in which David is commanding God.

Nehemiah:
Nehemiah 4:4: 4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!

Nehemiah 6:9: 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”
Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

Jeremiah
Lamentations 5:1:1 Remember, O LORD, what has come upon us;
Look, and behold our reproach!

Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the persistent widow

We see that she said to the judge, "Get justice for me from my adversary." That is a command, she is demanding it. Verse 6 and 7 say, 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?" That we should as well do as the widow did with the judge.

There are many other examples in the Bible of people, who have a continual relationship with the Father, and those that abide with Christ, because as children He has given us that right. When you pray, do you say, "God, give me mercy", or "Fill me with Your Holy Spirit". Do you say, "God heal me of my sickness or the sickness of a loved one"? I believe that we do. These are all command forms, and demanding of God.

However, this must be done with fear and trembling, and reverence to the Most High. If we are living are lives in the way that we see fit and not according to His Word, then no, we have no right and are in danger of His wrath. But, as children, yes we do have that right to approach Abba Father, Daddy, with that intimacy and respect.

Be Blessed

Excellent Post, as this was an excellent way of showing the word demand. As flesh we use the word demand in a negative connotation, and that can throw off people if not used correctly. Though if we are truly serving the lord, and keep the lines of communication open with Jesus, would we really ever need to demand anything of God?? He knows our every needs before we do all we have to do is ask.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

So we do not need to " demand" from God that something be done because He has already promised.

In addition to being presumptuous, using the term "demand" implies that there is some doubt in the seeker's mind that the promise will be kept. It is saying that the seeker feels it necessary to try to put pressure on God to bring the promise to fulfillment.

This discussion about word usage in this thread points out how very important it is for all of us to take the time to carefully compose and proofread our posts before we click "submit reply".

SLE

 

[macca]

it seems that many responers have misinterpreted this piece of my original post.
This is not suggesting rudeness or arrogance. It speaks of a conversation with a superior. It means approaching this superior being with reverence and honour, but demanding or insisting on something being done or supplied.
If we abide in Him, then we have the right to demand the sustenance in the same way the branches demand sustenance of the vine; but so many people ignore the abide and just demand.

Covenant people have a greater understanding of this issue. The times when we are in situations that require support from God is a time to "remind" God of the covenant we live under, not that God needs reminding.
It is more for our own benefit we remind Him.
Junglman expressed it very well demonstrating a baby's need.
I understand that others see "demand" as too strong a word, but I believe it is correct in the context of covenant.

 

[Peace Seeker]

How could I demand anything from God? God owes me nothing, yet has already given me infinitely more than I deserved.
Anything I get from Him is because of His tender mercies and good pleasure, not because of anything I did. Therefore I try to humbly approach Him, knowing the only reason I am able to approach Him in the first place, is because He made it so!

We should be grateful that He is actually mindful of us (of all things!).
Demanding something is akin to behaving like a spoiled brat towards a parent. Doesn't sound like a loving relationship with Father at all!

 

[David777]

Huh.

I thought Jesus Christ was more than we could possibly imagine or ask for.

 

[eddieb]

from my readings of scripture the only things promised is food and clothing. its around the parts where it talks about God feeding the little birds and we are worth more. and how God clothes the grass which is good for nothing but to be tossed in a fire after its short exsistance. I dont find anywhere that says money is promised. in fact wasnt it paul who said gold or silver have i none but take ye up your mat and walk. i think that was paul. even more on promises.... the poor will you always have with you. money is not promised. i even challenge you macca, and anyone else who wishes to join in the fun, to provide a scripture saying we are promised wealth in monetary form.

 

[spirit1st]

We do not demand!But accept by Faith What Jesus already did for us! thanking the LORD for these things !
We get Everything Heavenly by Faith ! everything is for Us!

2Pe_1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

3Jn_1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Rom_8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.


1Jn_4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Pe_2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Mat_16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mat_18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Joh_20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.


Joh_16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.


Everything we do now is for His glory and Honor! We should not have selfish self centered reasons!

we should be Thankful for all He has given us! We have so much .Kings of old never had!

Joh_14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Col_3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Mic_6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 

[Peace Seeker]

from my readings of scripture the only things promised is food and clothing. its around the parts where it talks about God feeding the little birds and we are worth more. and how God clothes the grass which is good for nothing but to be tossed in a fire after its short exsistance. I dont find anywhere that says money is promised. in fact wasnt it paul who said gold or silver have i none but take ye up your mat and walk. i think that was paul. even more on promises.... the poor will you always have with you. money is not promised. i even challenge you macca, and anyone else who wishes to join in the fun, to provide a scripture saying we are promised wealth in monetary form.

Nope, we're not promised any money, only that God will look after us.

 

[eddieb]

i was wrong in my earlier post. paul didnt say it peter did.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 3:6

 

[SpiritLedEd]

money is not promised. i even challenge you macca, and anyone else who wishes to join in the fun, to provide a scripture saying we are promised wealth in monetary form.

"Wealth" is a relative term. My pastor says that if you have any money in your pocket/purse, you're richer than 75% of the rest of the world. People we see as "poor" in the western world would probably be considered rich, for instance, in sub-Saharan Africa. Being wealthy is not sinful, greed - love of money - is sinful (1 Tim 6:9-10). Also, unless you're a farmer who grows his own foodstuffs, money is usually the means by which the food God supplies comes to your table in the 21st century.

SLE