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The following is from my personal blog, posted yesterday as one of my weekly New Year’s Resolution posts. It is longer than a normal post here, but I want to share it for two reasons: 1) the spiritual foundation of the conclusion that is applicable outside formal church worship and attendance; 2) the clarification of a scriptural passage which I have struggled to accept over the years. Most of you might already understand it, but it finally registered for me – so I thought I would share it in case it can help anyone else. From “An Epiphany Regarding “Ask, Seek, Find” – A Truly Beautiful Message” (
http://thingsofmysoul.blogspot.com/2009/06/epiphany-regarding-ask-seek-find-truly.html As I mentioned at the beginning of the month (“Accepting What Is Given, Found and Opened to Us”), I have had a hard time in the past with Matthew 7:7-8 (“Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”) – especially the way that it has been interpreted to portray God as a vending machine who “gives out” according to what we “put in”. I also have struggled to reconcile the interpretation that, because of this passage, wealth is an indication of righteousness. I believe in blessings for obedience, but
I also couldn’t reconcile the passage with so many people’s lives and experiences where they have asked and NOT been given, sought and NOT found, knocked and NOT had it opened unto them. As I contemplated this issue throughout the month, something hit me that is elementary – so basic that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t had that epiphany much, much earlier. It is something I have taught my children and students for years, and it is something I have preached as a core, foundational study technique for as long as I can remember. Somehow, with regard to this particular passage, I have failed totally to incorporate this simple mechanism – and that is embarrassing to me. Greater than the embarrassment, however, is a sense of gratitude that the Lord would gently whisper to me somthing that deserved a good roundhouse kick in the head.
The principle I have taught is nothing more profound than the following:
Quote:“Context matters.”
If the meaning of somthing is not clear immediately, or if there is something that simply seems “off” or wrong about a common interpretation, I stress two things:
1) Parse the words themselves totally devoid of context, simply to understand the possible meanings.
2) Look at the context in order to narrow down the possible meanings to the most logical or plausible one(s) – often reaching the conclusion that there really is only one reasonable interpretation or meaning.
Frankly, when Matthew 7:7-8 is parsed without context, the beliefs I can’t accept are the most apparent interpretations. These verses are worded in a very straightforward, unambiguous manner and appear to leave little room for interpretation. However, when the overall context (The Sermon on the Mount) is considered – and especially when the immediately surrounding verses are scrutinized – the straightforward conclusion is shattered totally, and a new understanding emerges.
To illustrate this, I am going to summarize and excerpt from the entire sermon, quoting only those verses or statements that influence directly Matthew 7:7-8 – then I will re-interpret those two verses in light of the overall message Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 5 = Blessed are those who possess (obtain) certain godly characteristics; there used to be a standard (from which some specific examples are given), but now another standard is in place (from which the counterpoints to the examples are given); through acquiring these characteristics and acting in this manner, become perfected (whole, complete, fully developed).
Matthew 6 = Don’t be hypocritical; tackle the process outlined in Matthew 5 as a personal quest, not as a public endeavor; you can’t serve two masters – heaven and the world; therefore, choose to serve heaven.
Quote:Matthew 6:33 =
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”Matthew 7:1-5 = Don’t judge others’ journeys along the process outlined in Matthew 5; you will be judged in the same manner you judge others.
Matthew 7:6 = Treat sacred things with great respect and care.
Matthew 7:7-8 = Those who dedicate themselves to this process (acquiring godly characteristics, living the new standards of interpersonal relationships, avoiding hypocrisy, choosing to serve God, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, not judging others in their journeys and treating sacred things as sacred) will receive those things for which they ask (since they will ask only for what will aid them in their effort to become like God), find what they seek (since they will be seeking internal godliness and interpersonal peace and fulfillment) and have heaven’s doors opened unto them.
Matthew 7:9-12 = Those who reach this state will treat others as God treats them – as they want to be treated – in a godly manner.
Matthew 7:13-27 = This way to godliness is strict and there are many imitations. Follow the proper path and beware of false paths and guides.
Notice that the promise of Matthew 7:7-8 is at the tail end of the “path to perfection” – the ultimate result of that effort – a re-statement of the conclusion of Matthew 5 (“Be ye therefore perfect.”) as a practical statement of what happens in that state of completion, wholeness and full development. In a way, the message really is that you get out of life what you put into it – but it is not a picture of a vending machine that emerges; rather, it is an image of a guide – a shepherd – a mentor – a teacher – a beneficiary – a “redeemer” – a “savior” – someone who has laid out a clear path that leads to exaltation (real, practical, understandable, attainable “perfection”).
In essence, in context, these verses say:
Quote:“
As you journey on the path I have laid out for you, I will give you that for which you ask, allow you to find that for which you seek, and ultimately open the door unto you when you arrive and knock.” What a powerful passage! What a beautiful message of inspiration and hope and empowerment – and ultimate, parental love!!
Thanks, Ray! What a great message. I really needed that. That was fantastic, Ray! It is something I’ve been thinking about alot since I resigned and re-reading, re-imagining Christ’s teachings especially the Sermon on the Mount. Your insight is beautiful and so important. My question: how do you, personally, square up the beautiful, Christ-like journey/quest you discovered here with the Church’s apparently much narrower interpretation?
I mentioned this before but my personal comparison is the church’s embracing the tree of life story(hold to the rod) much more than the prodigal’s son story(personal journey/quest). Your thoughts?
“how do you, personally, square up the beautiful, Christ-like journey/quest you discovered here with the Church’s apparently much narrower interpretation?” Honestly, I don’t think there is a “narrower interpretation” with “the Church”. I have come to believe that “the Church” (the top leadership) expects the members to pursue the “higher law” on their own – to “be agents unto themselves” – while “the Church” teaches the basic and general law. I actually have come to love that fundamental construct – and I only wish more members saw it that way. I understand the tightrope betwen the two, but I also have watched the leadership be more and more open and direct and “challenging” of the membership to understand and live the higher law over the last decade or two. “Preach My Gospel” is a great example of that. It is a RADICAL departure from the way missionary work used to be outlined, and if every missionary and Mission President really understood and internalized what it says – Holy Cow, what a difference it would make.
(Maybe I will write a post about some of the amazing statements I’ve found in it since I started reading it intently as my son prepared for his mission.)
Old-Timer wrote:I have come to believe that “the Church” (the top leadership) expects the members to pursue the “higher law” on their own – to “be agents unto themselves” – while “the Church” teaches the basic and general law.
Nice response, Ray. Hope this doesn’t sound inflammatory but if what you’re saying in that quote is true, why do they ask all the temple recommend questions? Why not just have the last one be the only one: “Are you worthy…”??
That’s a good question, swimordie – and I think it boils down to the same idea of stressing certain baseline commitments and beliefs – then letting the membership work out the fine details. If you really think about the questions, even the most specific ones still aren’t asked / presented in such a way that the person being interviewed has to accept and commit to “details”. They all are generic questions of general acceptance – and even include disclaimers in many cases (or allow answers that include disclaimers to be ok – like my “I try” every time I am asked about honesty). I really do believe the Church leadership wishes desperately that all the members would see and pursue the path I outlined in this post, but I also really do believe they know that it has to be a personal, chosen, intentional journey to be the journey outlined in the post. Iow, the process has to be internalized; it can’t be “correlated” – and I have seen a HUGE focus away from global correlation of action, even as correlation of manual instruction remains in place. There are LOTS of things that are being shifted further and further down the totem pole – and I am encouraged at what I have seen in this regard over the last decade or so.
Great stuff, Ray. Wow. There is a lot of deep stuff here. I think I need to spend most of my Sunday coming up really digging into all of it and digesting it as much as possible. Thanks for sharing.
I finally got around to reading this thread. It is brilliant Ray. Thank you. I actually agree with you here Ray, I think the church does encourage us to live the higher law in between the correlated material. I wish they would do even more to encourage even more open discussion of ALL parts of the church and its doctrines. But indeed, they are getting better at it. I have one question about your post. It seems to me that Christ is capable of reaching us wherever we are along our journey of life.
Old-Timer wrote:Those who reach this state will treat others as God treats them – as they want to be treated – in a godly manner.
I have met atheists who treat others in a godly manner. In other words, they seem to reap the benefit without necessarily following the path. You kind of allude to this.
Old-Timer wrote:Matthew 7:13-27 =
This wayto godliness is strict and there are many imitations. Follow the proper path and beware of false paths and guides.
So is the atheist way a “false path” or “guide” if it produces the same result? I’m focusing on the process here, not just the end result. Is it possible that God “answers” in a way unrecognizable to the individual that it came from God? Or is it possible that these people have a natural propensity to be god-like despite lack of religion? Is it possible that God is answering the door that an individual isn’t even knocking on?jmb275, great questions, and my answer lies in the very first part of what I said in introducing the post: I want to share it for two reasons: 1) the spiritual foundation of the conclusion that is applicable outside formal church worship and attendance;
I absolutely believe the basic process can be pursued outside formal religion. I also believe God loves ALL his children and will help anyone who is striving to improve and become more like Him – even if they have no way to recognize and acknowledge that help.
The key is the conscious identification and pursuit of the end result – the “becoming” something different than one’s natural (wo)man. The religious terminology is to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” – but when you translate “the kingdom of God” into secular terms of serving and helping others, it is accessible to all.
Old-Timer wrote:The key is the conscious identification and pursuit of the end result – the “becoming” something different than one’s natural (wo)man. The religious terminology is to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” – but when you translate “the kingdom of God” into secular terms of serving and helping others, it is accessible to all.
Wow! Beautiful sentiment!
In this context, what is the role of organized religion? Just another vehicle or something more?
Quote:what is the role of organized religion?
Ideally, to help those who would not identify the path find it and to build the kingdom of God (“Zion” as a united, caring, familial community) on earth. Too often, to self-prepetuate regardless of any collective character-altering path.I would add that one of the reasons I love Mormon cosmology is the sheer splendor of the path’s ultimate objective.
Old-Timer wrote:I love Mormon cosmology is the sheer splendor of the path’s ultimate objective.
Interesting that you would cite this. One of the ideas that has become so important to me on my own “personal” journey is the sense of the importance of THIS life, our mortal existence. Not to discount what you said above, but my experience in the church (and especially my parents) has been the overwhelming sense of how much MORE important the eternities are relative to mortal life. I get the whole analogy of time and how short our mortal existence is in the scope of eternity, but this actually makes me feel the opposite: this life must be INFINITELY important relative to eternity because one only gets one chance at this and eternity is forever anyway. (My grammar teacher’s head just exploded
😆 )I’m rambling on a tangent which is in total agreement with what you’ve already said so… what Ray said.
@swimordie No, I think those are great thoughts. There is a tendency in Mormonism (at least I think so) to be constantly worrying about being obedient to obtain Exaltation, such that we miss the beauty of this life. We are a people very concerned with our soteriology.
@Ray
Great response.
I think devaluing motality is a natural, nearly universal (wo)man thing – and I think Mormons who do so are on a very shaky foundation given the BofM statements about the importance of this life and the NT’s near obsession with becoming godly and judgment based on mortal works.
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