“…so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.” (John 15:15, AMP)
Started with the ‘why’. Actually, the context is John 15:15-17, MSG. Whenever you are a representative… you are acting on the principles and practices of that person. So… are you? Actually, I believe that this is the single most important quality you can display as a representative. What you say, how you say it and how your behavior reinforces this speaks the loudest about why you are a representative. And… you can’t do it only for the promise that Jesus provides with His comment in John 15:15. This really isn’t a ‘do to get’ basis of action. However… we do receive so much.
“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. You didn’t choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won’t spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. But remember the root command: Love one another.”
Point here is that we have been given a great opportunity (to be His representative) with a tremendous promises: joy, love, friends, chosen, fruit bearers, etc. Our choice. Our decision. Soooo… what’s stopping us from acting this way? Again, multiple reasons: fear (which isn’t from the Lord), a sense of unworthiness (not the point, we are but we are also a new creation), not knowing what to do next (answer: what’s at your hand), not feeling prepared to do (fill in the blank – again irrelevant since He never calls us to something that we can’t do and He equips and enables us for success).
I could go on but the point is that we aren’t ‘forced’ into being His representative, but since we always, by our actions and words, do represent someone – if not the Lord… then who? And why? Different question: if you can’t believe in yourself (yet), will you believe in the Lord and what He says? Can you trust, make that TRUST, that when you take that first action step you will see that everything you need is present? Remember… the Lord wants the best for you and is always available.
