"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; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." - Matt. 7:7-8 (NIV). Other translations reveal the continual persistence required, - "Because everyone who keeps asking will receive, and the person who keeps searching will find, and the person who keeps knocking will have the door opened" - (ISV); "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened," - (KJV). When many people read Matthew 7:7-8, they may be thinking the focus is on material things they would like to acquire (food, drink, clothes, goods). However, please recall Jesus' previous words in Matt. 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus' ministry was acutely focused on the spiritual health of human creation. I suggest a valid paraphrase based on the context might be: “Keep asking about righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom and this (IT) will be given to you; seek righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom and you will find help toward this goal; boldly pursue righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom and barriers will be removed for you. For everyone who asks about righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom receives help; the one who seeks righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom finds the path; and to the one who boldly pursues righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom the gifted path to these goals will become apparent. Seek Jesus and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit along your unique individual spiritual journey.
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