Ans. The Lord is teaching His disciples that His going away would be gain to them. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would come to abide; this would give a higher character to all they did. It would be done by the Spirit, in the power of a glorified Christ. And whatsoever they asked in His name, He would do, that the Father might be glorified in the Son. "If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it." We should ask for that which is for His and the Father's glory.
It is just as true for us now as for those He spoke to. We need to watch not to ask selfishly. And we ought to be exercised that we should not be so unbelieving.
Ans. Matt. 10:3434Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34), This verse and its context show that the Lord Jesus is rejected and that man's heart is enmity against God. (Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7).) Our dearest friends on earth, if not converted, may be our bitterest enemies, because we love and desire to serve the Lord Jesus. If we are true to Him, the world will hate us. (John 15:18-16:218If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. 23He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. 26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (John 15:18‑16:2); 1 John 3:1313Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1 John 3:13).) As long as Christ is the rejected One, His followers will need to endure opposition from the world. (Read the whole passage.)
John 3:20-2120For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:20‑21) the sinful nature of man hates the light of God's presence, for it condemns his evil ways; he therefore keeps away from the light. But he that practices the truth, comes to the light; this is a man born of God. (John 3:55Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)) He delights to be in God's presence, for all his sins have been judged and are put away by God; he is hiding nothing: his deeds are manifest as wrought in God. Christians are children of light (Eph. 5:88For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8)), and walk in the light (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7); Eph. 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)).
1 Peter 2:13-1413Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (1 Peter 2:13‑14). These verses speak of subjection to the powers that be-the laws of the land. (Rom. 13:1-71Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1‑7).) These are called ordinances, and are to be respected, except where they interfere with our duty to God, then we must "obey God rather than men". Thus Peter and the apostles answered when they were commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus. (Acts 5:28-2928Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:28‑29).)
A different kind of ordinances is mentioned in Col. 2:20-2320Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:20‑23). These we are not to be subject to-restrictions, such as, "Touch not, taste not, handle not", what we are to eat, or drink, or use; religious ordinances for the improvement of the flesh; pledges or vows. All these we are free from, because we have "died with Christ from the elements of the world", and, now, "risen with" Him, we are to be occupied with things above. (Col. 3:11If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1).)