Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
This verse of scripture is taken from the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. This Sermon is not a presentation of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, nor is it the road to salvation for the lost of this world. Instead, it is a sequence of values and standards designed to help born again, washed in the blood-saved followers and believers in Christ Jesus govern their daily walks with our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. The behavior that Jesus is laying out here for His disciples and followers cannot come to fruition independently. We could never follow the guidelines and precepts laid before us here on our own; we can only accomplish this mission through and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. One whose heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit are dedicated and surrendered to Christ Jesus.
These two verses are often taken out of context by those who are more dedicated to their self-interest and accusations of fame and fortune. We will hear from the prosperity gospel preachers and other false teachers that if we only claim the worldly treasures we desire loud and long enough, God will give us what we are demanding of Him. This teaching is a false concept of the Gospel and is referred to as the “name it and claim it” theory.
Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
When we follow all of the Godly and biblical standards and principles, God will most certainly answer the prayers of His Children that He loves so very much. In the previous chapter of Matthew (Matthew 6:9-13) the Bible teaches us to bring our prayers before our Father in Heaven. Our prayers should be about giving honor and glory to where it rightfully belongs, and that is to God, and not ourselves or any other human being. Our prayers should reflect the idea that His kingdom will come here on earth as it is in Heaven. As we pray that God will give us our daily bread today, we must have faith that He will provide for our every need this day as He did yesterday and as He will in all the days to come. We are to ask for God’s forgiveness for our sins against Him as we forgive those that sinned against us. We are to pray that His will be done and not that we receive anything of our own worldly or fleshly wants or desires. God will only hear and answer our prayers when we pray for His will, not ours.
When we sincerely and humbly pray and knock on the door to Heaven, seeking to mature in the grace and knowledge of His truth, God will give us the strength, guidance, and power to carry out His will on this earth, as it is in Heaven.
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