Greetings!
Here’s a summary of the Bible study on April 14.
Receiving Good Gifts (Matthew 7:7-12)
Everyone likes to receive good gifts. But not everyone recognizes the ultimate source of good gifts. James wrote, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV).
God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Source of every good thing. God is the ultimate Good, and the ultimate Giver. Every good thing is from God, and everything God gives is good. Knowing this, what should we do? What did Jesus say?
“Ask, Seek, Knock”
Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 7:7-8, NIV).
Jesus encourages his followers to pray sincerely and persistently, and believe that God will answer their prayers. This may sound like a sure method to get what we want from God. However, there are conditions for answered prayer.
We should not expect answers to prayer if we pray with selfish or other wrong motives (James 4:3). If we want God to answer our prayers, we need to pray “according to his will” (1 John 5:14-15). We should pray “with all our heart,” seeking the Giver more than the gifts (Jeremiah 29:13). We should pray in faith, trusting that God is able, faithful, and good.
A Good Father
Jesus uses the example of earthly parents to emphasize the goodness of God. He says, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 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!” (Matthew 7:9-11, NIV)
God is the perfect Father. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, good, and gracious. Our heavenly Father knows what we need, and He is faithful to give “good gifts.” Like earthly children, we may not understand why God does not always answer our prayers in the way we want, but God remains good and trustworthy.
What is included in the “good gifts” Jesus mentions? In a similar passage, Luke records Jesus as saying, “how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13). So many interpreters consider the “good gifts” in Matthew to be spiritual.
Of course, God is the Provider of every good thing, including material goods (Matthew 6:25-34), physical healing (James 5:14-16), improved circumstances and accomplishment of goals (Nehemiah 1:5-2:8). However, the most important and helpful gifts are spiritual – God’s salvation, presence, guidance, strength, empowerment, etc. We desperately need these good gifts!
What about You?
Jesus’ teaching about prayer applies to God’s children – those who’ve become His children through faith in Jesus Christ. Do you need to trust in Jesus? Do you have questions about this? Please ask.
Brothers & sisters, we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. We must regularly pray for God’s grace and help. We must keep on “asking, seeking, and knocking.” And we should ask ourselves these questions:
Am I praying with the right motives? Are my prayers God-centered? Am I praying for God’s will, or only my will? Am I trusting God? Do I believe He is good, faithful, and able to accomplish His will? Do I trust that His answers are best, even if I do not understand?
The Golden Rule
After talking about prayer and the goodness of God, Jesus adds these words: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). This has been called “the Golden Rule.”
Many religions and philosophies have some version of a “golden rule.” For example, Confucius said, “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you” (Analects 15:23). Almost all the teachings of other religions and philosophies are stated in the negative. Do not do what you don’t want done to you.
However, Jesus’ saying is stated in the positive. Thus it is more demanding. And Jesus’ command is not utilitarian: “Do this to them so that they will do it to you.” The love that Jesus commands is unconditional. This is a high standard!
We cannot live by “the Golden Rule” (as taught by Jesus) in our own strength. We need a “new heart,” received through faith in Jesus Christ. We need to receive the “good gifts” of God’s salvation, presence, and power. Brothers & sisters, let us regularly reflect on the Golden Rule, and by God’s grace and power, live by it.
Your Servant,
Jay