In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus says, "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."
So command number 17 is "Ask, Seek, Knock."
Ask...seek...knock...for what? Like the Trinity is three, but yet one; Jesus is giving us three ways, but one instruction...to pray.
Like a beggar asking for alms, ask God for what you need. Seek as for a thing of value that has been lost. Knock as one who desires to enter the house and converse with God. (Matthew Henry)
In verses 9-11, Jesus goes on to talk about how we, "Though we are evil" give good gifts to our children, how much more will God, who is infinitely good, give good gifts to those who ask Him!
According to the NIV Study Bible, "Greek present imperatives are used here, indicating constant asking, seeking and knocking. Persistent prayer is being emphasized."
I also love what the Life Application Bible says about this. "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 faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded. Don't give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love and understanding. He will give them to you." It goes on to say, "The children in Jesus' example asked their father for bread and fish - good and necessary items. If the children had asked for a poisonous snake, would the wise father have granted the request? Sometimes God knows we are prying for "snakes" and does not give us what we ask for, even though we persist in our prayers. 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."
When we talk about asking God for things, I think it's helpful to remember what James 4:2-3 says, "You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives." Check your heart when you ask, seek, and knock. Are you asking with right motives?
Be persistent in prayer. Ask, seek, knock.
Next time we'll look at Jesus' Command #18 - Do Unto Others!
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Jesus' Command #16 - Do Not Cast Pearls
In Matthew 7:6 Jesus gives a one line instruction, seemingly unrelated to the previous or following sentences. He says, "Do not throw your pearls to pigs." The whole verse reads like this, "Do not give to dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
This seems very peculiar to me. My own impression is that it seems that Jesus is just saying don't give something valuable to those who won't appreciate it. Upon further digging (MacArthur Commentary) it seems as though Jesus is saying to the disciples, and to us, "Do not bother giving instruction, counsel, rebuke, much less comforts, to hardened scorners, to whom it will certainly do no good, but who will be exasperated and enraged by us." It's almost as if He's saying, "Choose your battles." Some are so hardened that it will cause us harm and the person no good by speaking to them.
It seems like there should be more to say, but I think that's all.
Come back again for Jesus' Command #17 - Ask, Seek, Knock
This seems very peculiar to me. My own impression is that it seems that Jesus is just saying don't give something valuable to those who won't appreciate it. Upon further digging (MacArthur Commentary) it seems as though Jesus is saying to the disciples, and to us, "Do not bother giving instruction, counsel, rebuke, much less comforts, to hardened scorners, to whom it will certainly do no good, but who will be exasperated and enraged by us." It's almost as if He's saying, "Choose your battles." Some are so hardened that it will cause us harm and the person no good by speaking to them.
It seems like there should be more to say, but I think that's all.
Come back again for Jesus' Command #17 - Ask, Seek, Knock
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Jesus' Command #15 - Judge Not
In Matthew 7:1, Jesus commands us, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
Before we go any further, I think we must first look at the word 'judge'. It seems like a simple word, but I think it's taken different ways by different people in different situations. In America, when we say, "Don't judge me!" What we mean is, "Don't look down on me for what I just did, or what I believe."
Webster's online dictionary has many meanings for judge, this first being, "To form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises."
In my Bible research I could find two distinct uses for "judge" in the New Testament. The first is Krino (in the Greek) "to form an opinion", much like the dictionary definition. The second is Diakrino (in the Greek) "to make a distinction". For instance, "Judge for yourself which is right." Most occurrences of "judge" in the New Testament seem to be Krino; which is the case in Matthew 7.
When I read this verse in preparing this Blog, my initial thought was, "Don't judge. Well, yes, but aren't we to hold other believers accountable?" Let's look deeper at my preconception.
My first defense of this thought was Matthew 18:15-20. There it talks about dealing with sin in the church. It starts with, "If a brother sins". It does not start with, "Judge your brother, and if you've determined that he is wrong..." I think I have mistakenly taken this as a license to "judge" our brothers and sisters. It's a fine line between judging and pointing out sin to them. As I've already noted, to judge is to form an opinion. However, to point out sin to a brother does not require you to form an opinion. Only to recognize sin. So in a way I was right. We are to hold each other accountable for sin. However, it does not require me to judge anything. Only to know sin when I see it.
Next I thought of James 5:20 that says, "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." This corroborates my explanation from Matthew. I'm not to 'judge' my brother or sister in the Lord, but to help them turn from their sin.
I guess this takes me back to Matthew 7. "Do not judge." Yeah, I guess it's that simple. Jesus is telling me not to 'form an opinion' of someone based on their beliefs or actions. I am, however, to help a brother or sister turn from the sin that is evident in their life; not forgetting that Matthew 7:3-4 (the very next verses) also tells me to remove the two-by-four from my own eye before pointing out the speck of dust in my brother's.
It's all about "speaking the truth in love." I never have reason to judge, but if I must point out sin in someone's life I should surely do it in a loving way with intent to help them turn from it and to encourage them forward.
Praise God!
Tune in next time for Jesus' command #16 - Do Not Cast Pearls
In the meantime, go introduce someone to Jesus and bring them into the Kingdom with you (Command #49)!
Before we go any further, I think we must first look at the word 'judge'. It seems like a simple word, but I think it's taken different ways by different people in different situations. In America, when we say, "Don't judge me!" What we mean is, "Don't look down on me for what I just did, or what I believe."
Webster's online dictionary has many meanings for judge, this first being, "To form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises."
In my Bible research I could find two distinct uses for "judge" in the New Testament. The first is Krino (in the Greek) "to form an opinion", much like the dictionary definition. The second is Diakrino (in the Greek) "to make a distinction". For instance, "Judge for yourself which is right." Most occurrences of "judge" in the New Testament seem to be Krino; which is the case in Matthew 7.
When I read this verse in preparing this Blog, my initial thought was, "Don't judge. Well, yes, but aren't we to hold other believers accountable?" Let's look deeper at my preconception.
My first defense of this thought was Matthew 18:15-20. There it talks about dealing with sin in the church. It starts with, "If a brother sins". It does not start with, "Judge your brother, and if you've determined that he is wrong..." I think I have mistakenly taken this as a license to "judge" our brothers and sisters. It's a fine line between judging and pointing out sin to them. As I've already noted, to judge is to form an opinion. However, to point out sin to a brother does not require you to form an opinion. Only to recognize sin. So in a way I was right. We are to hold each other accountable for sin. However, it does not require me to judge anything. Only to know sin when I see it.
Next I thought of James 5:20 that says, "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." This corroborates my explanation from Matthew. I'm not to 'judge' my brother or sister in the Lord, but to help them turn from their sin.
I guess this takes me back to Matthew 7. "Do not judge." Yeah, I guess it's that simple. Jesus is telling me not to 'form an opinion' of someone based on their beliefs or actions. I am, however, to help a brother or sister turn from the sin that is evident in their life; not forgetting that Matthew 7:3-4 (the very next verses) also tells me to remove the two-by-four from my own eye before pointing out the speck of dust in my brother's.
It's all about "speaking the truth in love." I never have reason to judge, but if I must point out sin in someone's life I should surely do it in a loving way with intent to help them turn from it and to encourage them forward.
Praise God!
Tune in next time for Jesus' command #16 - Do Not Cast Pearls
In the meantime, go introduce someone to Jesus and bring them into the Kingdom with you (Command #49)!
Sunday, March 08, 2015
Jesus' Command #14 - Seek God's Kingdom
In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells us to, "Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness." The context of this command includes instruction that we are not to worry about what we will eat or drink, or what we will wear. Jesus tells us to consider the lilies of the field; their beauty and how they do not work for their clothing. He says, how much more does our heavenly Father care for us than the lilies. Won't He be sure we're taken care of?
He does not promise comfort for all Christians. That would be a mistaken way to read this text. However, He does say that if we put first the Kingdom and His righteousness, "'All these things will be given to you as well." What I understand this to mean is that if we put the Kingdom first; if we make the Kingdom the center of our continual, daily priorities, He will make sure we have what we need. It may not be what we want or even think that we need, but what we actually need. As He says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
How do we apply this command? Make the Kingdom the center of our continual, daily priorities.
Come back again for Jesus' Command #15 - Judge Not
He does not promise comfort for all Christians. That would be a mistaken way to read this text. However, He does say that if we put first the Kingdom and His righteousness, "'All these things will be given to you as well." What I understand this to mean is that if we put the Kingdom first; if we make the Kingdom the center of our continual, daily priorities, He will make sure we have what we need. It may not be what we want or even think that we need, but what we actually need. As He says, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
How do we apply this command? Make the Kingdom the center of our continual, daily priorities.
Come back again for Jesus' Command #15 - Judge Not
Saturday, March 07, 2015
Jesus' Command #13 - Store Up Treasures In Heaven
We spend our lives pursuing what we care most about. When we're not pursuing them, we're thinking about them. Let me give you an example from my life. I'm a track and field coach and I spend countless hours trying to make my team better. I recruit. I plan. I learn. I write works. I run practices. I spend my time building something to be greater than it is now. Using language from Matthew 6, I'm "storing up" by using my time to improve my team. I really put my heart into it. Where my treasure is, there my heart is also. Another example; even when I'm coaching/working, my mind is on my family; how I can provide and care for them, how much I love and miss them, and how I look forward to the next time I'm with them. I spend almost every waking moment, in some way, with my family on my mind. I'm storing up for them, so my heart is there also.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus is talking about where we store up our treasures. My thought process automatically starts thinking about the things I'm storing up and if they are treasures on Earth or treasures in Heaven, when that's not the point. The point is that our heart will be focused on Heaven or Earth based on the things we work for. If my aim is to earn money to care for my family, buy nice things, make a comfortable life for myself and those I love, then my heart is firmly planted in this Earth. However, if my aim is to make money so that it will aid me in telling the lost about salvation and forgiveness through Jesus and to help others do the same. In 'church talk', to build the Kingdom by saving the lost. Essentially, carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and obey the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40), then my heart will be firmly planted in Heaven, where it should be.
If your heart longs for the things of this Earth then that is where you are storing up your treasures. However, if your heart longs for the things of Heaven, then that is where you are storing up treasures. Wow! What a gut check! If that doesn't affect my focus then I ought to question my own salvation! If my aim isn't to build the Kingdom and my heart isn't focused on eternity and what will happen after I (and we all) leave this life behind, then what am I doing!?
Lord, may Your will be done, and may my focus be to see that Your will be done. Amen.
As if to put the nail in the coffin, Jesus follows up this command with this. "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." You cannot have one foot on Earth and one foot in Heaven. You are either serving your selfish desires or you are serving the King.
May God point our compass toward Heaven so we walk in that direction.
Come back again for Jesus' Command #14 - Seek God's Kingdom
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus is talking about where we store up our treasures. My thought process automatically starts thinking about the things I'm storing up and if they are treasures on Earth or treasures in Heaven, when that's not the point. The point is that our heart will be focused on Heaven or Earth based on the things we work for. If my aim is to earn money to care for my family, buy nice things, make a comfortable life for myself and those I love, then my heart is firmly planted in this Earth. However, if my aim is to make money so that it will aid me in telling the lost about salvation and forgiveness through Jesus and to help others do the same. In 'church talk', to build the Kingdom by saving the lost. Essentially, carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and obey the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40), then my heart will be firmly planted in Heaven, where it should be.
If your heart longs for the things of this Earth then that is where you are storing up your treasures. However, if your heart longs for the things of Heaven, then that is where you are storing up treasures. Wow! What a gut check! If that doesn't affect my focus then I ought to question my own salvation! If my aim isn't to build the Kingdom and my heart isn't focused on eternity and what will happen after I (and we all) leave this life behind, then what am I doing!?
Lord, may Your will be done, and may my focus be to see that Your will be done. Amen.
As if to put the nail in the coffin, Jesus follows up this command with this. "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." You cannot have one foot on Earth and one foot in Heaven. You are either serving your selfish desires or you are serving the King.
May God point our compass toward Heaven so we walk in that direction.
Come back again for Jesus' Command #14 - Seek God's Kingdom
Thursday, March 05, 2015
Jesus' Command #12 - Practice Secret Disciplines
Matthew 6:1-18 specifically addresses giving, prayer, and fasting. To summarize; let there be no pride, only humility in your giving, prayer, and fasting. When you give, give in such a way that no one may know that you gave, or how much you gave. When you pray, pray in such a way that doesn't call attention to yourself. There is no need to use big, fancy words, and repeat yourself over and over in different ways so that God will hear you. God hears you the first time. And you do not need to impress others with the words you use to pray. When you fast, don't act in such a way that others know you haven't eaten or that you're not eating. Do these things in such a way that they bring glory to God, not yourself.
It's important to note that Jesus doesn't outlaw public or corporate prayer. He only says not to do as the hypocrites do when they pray by themselves in public so others will notice.
Jesus addresses the actions of the hypocrites extensively in this text. He tells us what to do by telling what not to do. He talks about how much the hypocrites use giving, prayer, and fasting to show others how holy they are. Clearly this is one of many cases where Jesus points out that the condition of your heart trumps your outward appearances.
There is so much more to be said of prayer and fasting, but for this post I want to stay singularly focused on the main point.
Come back again to read about Jesus' Command #13 - Lay Up Treasures In Heaven
It's important to note that Jesus doesn't outlaw public or corporate prayer. He only says not to do as the hypocrites do when they pray by themselves in public so others will notice.
Jesus addresses the actions of the hypocrites extensively in this text. He tells us what to do by telling what not to do. He talks about how much the hypocrites use giving, prayer, and fasting to show others how holy they are. Clearly this is one of many cases where Jesus points out that the condition of your heart trumps your outward appearances.
There is so much more to be said of prayer and fasting, but for this post I want to stay singularly focused on the main point.
Come back again to read about Jesus' Command #13 - Lay Up Treasures In Heaven
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