Ask, Seek, and Knock

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).  Many have built their entire ministry on these verses! 

 

There are two problems in taking these verses, directly and literally!  

 

First, God is not a magic genie in a bottle to grant our every wish.  That would destroy us.  Second, four conditions are attached to these words of Jesus based on the context of the verses!  Any biblical passage has to be interpreted within its context.  And here, the context is the ‘Sermon on the Mount.’

 

The first condition to appropriate these blessings is being people of the Kingdom!  One word that comes to mind when we think of Kingdom-living is ‘Choose.’

 

Jesus gives five examples of where He wants us to choose:

 

Choose to store our treasure in heaven.  We cannot serve two masters.  So choose.  Do not depend on the things of the World.  Choose to depend on your heavenly Father.  Choose the narrow gate, the one that leads to life.  Finally, choose to build your house on the rock by obeying His commandments!  Jesus said,  “.. seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6: 33).

 

This is the model for Kingdom-living! 

 

The second condition is that we should ask according to His will.  “…  if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14,15).

 

The third condition is we should ask with pure motives.  “… When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4: 2,3).

 

The fourth condition is that we should remain in Christ.   “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” (John 15:7); 

 

This is the context within which Jesus offers these incredible invitations and promises!

 

My friend, the choice is ours.  We have to choose whether to follow the crowd (the kingdom of the World) or our Father in heaven (the Kingdom of God; whether to be swayed by the winds of public opinion or be ruled by God’s Word, the revelation of His character and will. Prayer:  Lord Jesus, help me choose to live by the values of the Kingdom of God in every one of my decisions so that my prayers will be answered.  Amen.

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