Ever been in a restaurant, and ordered and the food either wasn't what you ordered, or not right at all?
So, you had to 'complain' to make it right.
Now the Bible says to not complain, because we usually only complain because we are selfish and not getting our way. So that is sin of course.
Sin being the opposite of LOVE.
LOVE only wanting what is best for others, and only rejoicing in the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6
Sin being only wanting for the best for self (me) and not holding on to what is right or true - just what self wants.
Ok, so what does this have to do with getting more from GOD. Or experiencing more from GOD, might be better said.
Here is the scripture: (JESUS speaking)
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13
Now that is ok, but doesn't really bring us the urgency and expression of the original language.
Here is how I see it and getting most of this quote from: Jonathan Mitchell's superb Greek Expanded New Testament.
JESUS speaking:
"If then, you folks, continuously subsisting being inherently worthless and evil, have seen and know to be habitually, giving good gifts to your children, then how much greater and extent will the FATHER - the ONE from out of Heaven (the atmosphere around you that you can't see) give you the SPIRIT (HOLY SPIRIT, or BREATH-Effect of GOD) to the people who habitually keep asking HIM.
That word asking HIM, according to Brad Cullen (another great author I've read) is more
of a demand for what is right.
Like you in the restaurant with the wrong order.
You don't usually just accept it, because it wasn't what you paid for.
You don't usually make a huge fuss about it, because generally you don't have to.
You are insistent, and a tad demanding in getting what you paid for.
You don't give in, and don't give up until you get your order right.
Its done politely, insistently, persistently and kindly.
As Brad Cullen says "the word 'ask' in the original language is a financial term meaning demand on due".
Don't give up and don't stop asking, until you see evidence that you have more of the HOLY SPIRIT and HIS gifts operating in your life.
Remember Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:1 said " Earnestly desire the SPIRITUAL gifts"?
You must never give up and request and insist that you get more and more.
That is, if you want more...
-eric
