Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children… Four central principles underlie this passage — in fact, underlie the Bible and all religion in the world. 1. Man has a capacity for God as truly as the stomach for food. God is as imperative a necessity to our spiritual nature as is bread for the body. 2. Man has a distinct need of God impressed upon him. The body is disquiet, if food be withheld. The soul is restless without God. 3. The Fatherhood of God is a pledge and guarantee that these deepest yearnings of man's nature will be gratified. A judicious parent prefers for his son character rather than fame, genius, or wealth. God also desires, above all things, our sanctification. 4. God gives the Holy Spirit to the eager, ardent, persistent, importunate soul. Do you really want it? Honestly and earnestly asking, you shall receive. You must long for the Holy Spirit more than the hungry and thirsty long for food and water; more anxiously than the storm-tossed sailor longs for the port. With this spirit you may be sure of an answer, and as much more sure as God is better than the best human parent. (H. L. Thompson.) Parallel Verses KJV: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? |
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