S. Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking (7:7"“12)
[/align]7:7, 8 If we think that we can live out the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount by our own strength, we have failed to realize the supernatural character of the life to which the Savior calls us. The wisdom or power for such a life must be given to us from above. So here we have an invitation to
ask and keep on asking; to
seek and keep on seeking; to
knock and keep on knocking. Wisdom and power for the Christian life will be given to all who earnestly and persistently pray for it.
[/align]Taken out of context, verses 7 and 8 might seem like a blank check for believers, i.e., we can get anything we ask for. But this is simply not true. The verses must be understood in their immediate context and in light of the whole Bible"™s teaching on prayer. Therefore, what seems like unqualified promises here are actually restricted by other passages. For example, from Psalm 66:18 we learn that the person praying must have no unconfessed sin in his life. The Christian must pray in faith (Jas. 1:6"“8) and in conformity with the will of God (1 Jn. 5:14). Prayer must be offered persistently (Luke 18:1"“8) and sincerely (Heb. 10:22a).
[/align]7:9, 10 When the conditions for prayer are met, the Christian can have utter confidence that God will hear and answer. This assurance is based on the character of God, our Father. On the human level, we know that if a
son asks for bread, his father will not
give him a stone. Neither would he
give him a serpent if he had asked for
a fish. An earthly father would neither deceive his hungry son nor give him anything that might inflict pain.
[/align]7:11 The Lord argues from the lesser to the greater. If human parents reward their children"™s requests with what is best for them,
how much more will our
Father who is in heaven do so.
[/align]7:12 The immediate connection of verse 12 with the preceding seems to be this: since our Father is a giver of good things to us, we should imitate Him in showing kindness to others. The way to test whether an action is beneficial to others is whether we would want to receive it ourselves. The "śGolden Rule"ť had been expressed in negative terms at least one hundred years before this time by Rabbi Hillel. However, by stating the rule in positive terminology, Jesus goes beyond passive restraint to active benevolence. Christianity is not simply a matter of abstinence from sin; it is positive goodness.
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This saying by Jesus
is the Law and the Prophets, that is, it summarizes the moral teachings of the
Law of Moses and the writings of the
Prophets of Israel. The righteousness demanded by the OT is fulfilled in converted believers who thus walk according to the Spirit (Rom. 8:4). If this verse were universally obeyed, it would transform all areas of international relationships, national politics, family life, and church life.
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T. The Narrow Way (7:13, 14)
[/align]The Lord now warns that the
gate of Christian discipleship is
narrow and the
way is
difficult.
 But those who faithfully follow His teachings find the abundant
life. On the other hand, there is the
wide gate"”the life of self-indulgence and pleasure. The end of such a life is
destruction. This is not a discussion of losing one"™s soul, but of a failure to live out the purpose of one"™s existence.
[/align]These verses also have an application to the gospel by depicting the two roads and destinies of the human race. The wide gate and broad way lead to destruction (Prov. 16:25). The narrow gate and difficult way lead to life. Jesus is both the gate (John 10:9) and the way (John 14:6). But while this is a valid
application of the passage, the
interpretation is for believers. Jesus is saying that to follow Him would require faith, discipline, and endurance. But this
difficult life is the only life worth living. If you choose the easy way, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God"™s best for you.
[/align][/align]MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur:
Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. Mt 7:7
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