In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus gives us a powerful promise: “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.”
These words aren’t just three separate instructions – they represent a progression in our spiritual journey. This progression shapes our lives, whether we realize it or not, and whether we’re pursuing righteousness or unrighteousness.
The Progression of Our Spiritual Journey
Asking: Where It All Begins
Asking is the starting point of our journey. It’s about expressing a desire or need – what’s inside coming out through our words. When what’s inside isn’t dealt with and comes out, that’s when it has power. The Bible tells us “the power of life and death are in the tongue.” Whether it’s godly or worldly, when something inside us is expressed, we’ve begun a progression that will shape our path.
Seeking: Moving From Words to Action
Seeking goes deeper than asking. Now we’re moving from words to pursuing – we’re getting serious. This is where we actively look for answers and solutions to what we’ve asked about. Our youth today are seeking authenticity in a world full of deception. They’re seeking patience in God’s timing, righteousness in their identity, and forgiveness in their relationships.
Knocking: Taking Bold Action
Knocking is the boldest step. Now we’re taking action and risk – we’re no longer just thinking or talking about something, we’re doing something about it. We’re committed to finding an answer or solution, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zone.
How This Progression Shapes Our Lives
The progression of asking, seeking, and knocking works in both positive and negative directions. Consider these examples:
When We Follow the Wrong Path
A young person might ask, “Was I born in the wrong gender?” Then they seek validation from a world that says “your truth is whatever you feel.” Finally, they knock on the door of confusion and shame.
Or someone might ask, “I wonder if so-and-so heard about so-and-so?” Then they seek an audience to gossip with. Finally, they knock on the door of gossip and division.
The Original Deception
In Genesis 3, we see this progression in the first sin. The serpent asked Eve, “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Eve was convinced by this question and began seeking – she saw the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious. Then she knocked – she took the fruit and ate it.
Eve was right there with the Creator himself, but instead of asking Him for clarification, she started seeking and knocking on the door of deception. Just like in the youth skit, she got distracted by worldly things when she could have simply turned to God.
What Does This Mean for Our Lives?
We Are Empowered, Not Helpless
The first profound truth from Matthew 7 is that we are empowered. We are not helpless victims in life. We have the ability to change our circumstances by asking different things, seeking after godly things, and knocking on the right doors.
While we may sometimes be victims of circumstances beyond our control, we are never victims of our reactions. We get to choose how we respond. We are empowered to change our lives by choosing which progression we want to walk in.
Results Are Guaranteed
The second profound truth is that results are guaranteed. Jesus doesn’t say “ask and you might receive” or “seek and you could find.” He promises that if you ask, you will receive; if you seek, you will find; if you knock, the door will be opened.
The Amplified Bible says “ask and keep on asking.” Don’t quit! Whatever you’re seeking, whatever doors you’re knocking on, keep going. “We will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.”
What Today’s Youth Are Seeking
Our youth shared powerful insights about what they’re seeking in this generation:
Seeking Patience in God’s Timing
In a world of instant gratification where everything can be obtained in minutes, young people are learning to wait on God’s perfect timing. Through trials and tribulations, they’re growing the fruit of patience.
Seeking Righteousness in Their Identity
In a world that pushes deception and calls wrong right, young people are seeking to live according to God’s will. They’re learning that Jesus paid the ultimate price so they could be made righteous and live as God created them to be.
Seeking Forgiveness in Relationships
In a world where it’s easy to block, avoid, or cancel people we disagree with, young people are learning the power of forgiveness. They’re discovering that unforgiveness is like carrying a heavy weight that God never intended them to bear.
What This Generation Truly Needs
What this generation is ultimately seeking is authenticity. They’ve grown up in a world that offers conditional love, where one mistake can get you “canceled,” and where acceptance comes with strings attached.
They’re not looking for fake answers, half-truths, or empty religion. They want the real Jesus. And when they ask, seek, and knock, we need to be on the other side of the door with open arms, showing them Christ not just by what we say, but by what we do.
We need to have hearts like Paul, who said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” This generation isn’t interested in lip service – they’re looking for authentic actions to lead and guide them.
Life Application
This week, take some time to examine what you’re asking for, what you’re seeking after, and what doors you’re knocking on. Are you pursuing things of this world or things that are holy and godly?
Consider these questions:
What questions am I asking that are shaping my life’s direction?
Am I seeking after God’s patience, righteousness, and forgiveness?
What doors am I knocking on, and are they leading me closer to or further from God?
How can I be more authentic in my faith to help guide the next generation?
Remember, Jesus is asking, “Who do you say that I am?” He’s seeking people who will serve Him wholeheartedly. And He’s knocking at the door of your heart, promising that if you open it, He will come in and fellowship with you.
Whatever you’re in need of today – patience, righteousness, forgiveness, or something else – Jesus is the answer. The things of this world will pass away, but Jesus is eternal, and so is everything He has to offer.