Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus Teaches about Asking, Seeking, Knocking

 

8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

 

9 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

 

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

 

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

 

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

What Jesus Says about Asking, Seeking & Knocking

Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes prayer, faith, focus, and follow-through....

Doubt and Faith

We all have trouble keeping our faith strong because it is human nature to doubt and to give up. Sometimes we have to go against "instinct" and follow the heart God has given us to believe and ask God for the things we need in life.

When we ask God to help us accomplish a task in our lives whether it is for job, family or health we are showing our dependency on Him, not ourselves. But, let's make sure the things we ask for are "good" things, not things just for our vanity.

Don't Pray for Snakes

The child in Jesus' example asked his father for bread and fish -- good and necessary items to sustain life. If the child had asked for a poisonous snake, would the wise father have granted his request? Sometimes God knows we are praying for 'snakes' and does not give us what we ask for, even though we persist in our prayers.

An example is something our pastor has said on many occasions: "Be careful about praying for patience; God may send you a problem to test it." I have pondered this because turmoil makes us stronger. An old TV show had the title; "Father Knows Best" and this most certainly applies to God.

As we learn to know God better as a loving Father, we learn to ask for what is good for us, and then he grants it, if it is in His will and in His time.

7:12 The Golden Rule - In many religions it is stated negatively: 'Don't do to others what you don't want done to you.' By stating it more positively in Matthew 7:12, Jesus made it more significant.

It's not very difficult to refrain from harming others; it is much more difficult to take the initiative in doing something good for them. Let's make an effort to treat others more like we would want to be treated. We will be rewarded on earth and in heaven.

*** A suggestion is to take out your study Bible and look up these verses & read the explanations carefully. I had a much better understanding of the "Rule" after doing this.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Matthew 5:43-48 - Jesus Teaches about Loving Your Enemies