Friday, July 10, 2015

You Have Not Because You Ask Not


Michael writes this week: In Mark 10 Jesus' disciples rebuked those who brought their children to Him so that he could touch them.  Jesus said to his disciples, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not:  for such is the kingdom of heaven.  Unless you become like one of these children, you can't enter into the kingdom of God."  Many adults have become disillusioned, disheartened, and hardened by the mistreatment of this fallen world's "harsh realities."  They have lost the godly characteristics wrapped up in childhood innocence:  a need to hug and be hugged...  to touch and connect physically and emotionally, an inquisitiveness about life and things that really matter, a shameless and unfiltered bold audacity to ask "politically incorrect" questions, a meekness of heart to learn from others, and an implicit trust of others.

In order to receive God's promises, we must ask. James 4:2b says, “Ye have not because ye ask not.”  When we ask God for answers, we must ask with the right heart and for the right reasons.  According to James 4:3, "Ye ask and receive not, because when you ask, you ask amiss that ye may consume it upon your lusts."  Lust is anything that we desire over our desire to walk humbly with God.  Mark chapter 10 is about two groups of people, two individuals, and the questions that they asked Jesus.  Three of the four asked amiss with the wrong motive so that they could consume God's promises according to their own lustful hearts.  Only one individual, blind Bartimaeus asked with the right heart.

As Jesus entered into Jericho with the crowds following, blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus.  He had heard of Jesus.  Bartimaeus was a desperate man and he threw away all dignity as he cried, "Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me."  Bartimaeus had been taught by his culture that he was blind because of his sin.  Even though Jesus knew what was in the heart of man, he asked Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?"  Jesus needed Bartimaeus to confess his need for help.  In order to receive God's grace, we must acknowledge our need. Bartimaeus said with childlike boldness, "Lord, that I may receive sight."  In this request, he confessed Jesus as Lord and master. To be convinced that you're following the right master, first you need to know if the master can really help you. The second thing you need to know is if He really cares about you. The last question you need to ask yourself is, "Can I trust my Lord and master?" These three questions illustrate the stages of discipleship starting with need and ending in gratitude. Bartimaeus heard of the miracles that Jesus did and understood that Jesus could heal the sick and restore health. Bartimaeus also understood that Jesus cared when he stopped and called him by name out of the midst of the crowd to minister to him individually. Trust doesn't mean that you understand completely, rather it means that you are willing to act on His words. Jesus commanded him, "go thy way, thy faith has made thee whole."  Bartimaeus' response demonstrated that he was a true disciple ... one who is disciplined to follow his Master's footsteps ... one whose heart's desire is to "eat his master's dust." For he forsook his robe, his precious earthly possession, immediately received his sight and followed Jesus:  the way, the truth and the life.

Healing may or may not be accomplished in this life. Does this mean that there is no faith?  Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your affection on things above and  not on things of the earth."  Even though deliverance may not be manifest in this present world, it will be realized in eternity. Death is not to be feared because our life is hid with Christ in God.  Health and wellness may not be in this life.  However, eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for them who love him1 Corinthians 2:9. Our life is not dependent on what we know, but rather who we know. Do we really want to press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?  Only desperate men and women are audacious enough to cry out to God throwing caution to the wind. Jesus said, "Ye have not because you ask not."  Answers in this life depend on the questions that we ask our Master. Meaningful questions provide meaningful answers. In the midst of the trials and tribulations of life, are we desperate enough to cry out to God for deliverance, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me?”

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, "Ask and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." Then Jesus said in Matthew 7:11 that if earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will God give to those who ask him.  In the midst of the confusion and the questions of this sinful fallen world, the answers are found in faith through Jesus Christ. Meaningful questions lead to meaningful answers...  meaning in this life is only through Him, for He alone is the way, the truth, and the life...  in Him we live and move and have our being.

May God richly bless you.
Your Brother in Christ, Michael

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