We’ve come to chapter seven in Jesus’ teaching in Matthew.  I think Ferrar Fenton’s version of this chapter is a bit plainer in its content than the NKJ’s version.  Read them both to see what you think.  The title of Fenton’s verses for chapter seven is:

 

     “The Characteristics of the Kingdom.”

 

          Jesus is trying to tell all his creation how the Kingdom is supposed to work.  In fact, Jesus’ teaching from the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ starting with chapter 5 through chapter 7 is an outline of how God’s Plan is supposed to work.  It’s Jesus’ outline for us.  As you read it remember, it is Jesus himself telling us all, ‘The True Way into the Kingdom’.

 

          Now, let’s read and compare how it is supposed to be and how we ourselves stack up to this revelation. (I don’t know about you but I find myself lacking.)

 

Matthew 7:7-12    (Jesus speaking)

 

          “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it will be opened to you; for whoever asks will receive, and the seeker will find, and they will open to him who knocks.  Is there even a man among you, who, if his son should ask bread of him, would hand him a stone?  And if he asked a fish, would he hand him a serpent?  If therefore you, who are corrupt, know how to bestow benefits (good gifts) upon your children, how much rather will your Father Who is in heaven give benefits to those who ask Him!  Whatever therefore you wish men to do to you, do the same yourselves to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”

 

          That last statement is considered the “Golden Rule”.  Think about that as we look at the rest of these verses.

 

          Jesus is trying to get his disciples and us to “see” in our hearts what we all can have as Children of God.  Our father God is a Loving God, and He so wants to give us His Kingdom of Righteousness.  He even tells us to “ask”; “seek”; “knock” and it will be done.  But remember Church, to have it done we have to “ASK IN RIGHTEOUSNESS”.  Not in self-seeking or self benefits.  Jesus’ Door is ALWAYS OPEN to mankind through holiness in our own hearts.

 

          Think about it Saints, we believe we are good parents but we are very lacking in our giving because we can only give what we have; but the Best Gift is Eternal Life.  And that only comes through the Righteous Blood of Jesus.  So, asking in Righteousness through Jesus is the Ultimate Gift!!

 

          When we ask our Father for something it usually fits in the “selfish” category.  Consider when we ask in prayer for others.  When we seek for others, in prayer, we are “asking” in Righteousness.  Coupled with our faith and belief in our Father’s Love for us---- as the “Word” says----“how much more will our Father, Who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask Him!”  We will be answered in His Love!

 

          I believe our asking isn’t the problem here, it is the faith and belief in a Loving God that we are stumbling over.  Many times in the Bible Jesus tells the people, that He is helping, to: “JUST BELIEVE!”  That means: no negative thoughts; no doubting; no ‘what ifs’; no ‘if I pray and nothing happens (pride); and no ‘self’.  EVERYTHING is handed over to God to handle.  Our part is to:

 

                                      TRUST AND BELIEVE GOD

 

 

          *The Holy Bible in Modern English translated from the original Hebrew, Chaldee, and Greek languages by Ferrar Fenton, published 1903-1966.