It is interesting to note various parallels between Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) and his half-brother’s epistle near the end of our New Testaments (the book of James). One such parallel is on the word “ask.” Five times in Matthew 7, Jesus emphasized the need for God’s people to “ask” (7:7-11). A similar emphasis is found in chapters one and four of James.
First, we must learn the need to “ask” (Jas. 4:2). Second, we must learn to “keep on asking,” as accentuated by the Greek present tense (1:5). Third, we must properly direct our request and “ask of God” (1:5). Fourth, we must “ask in faith, with no doubting,” having absolute confidence in the power and willingness of the One of whom we ask (1:6). Fifth, we must not “ask amiss,” with the wrong motives and for fleshly purposes (4:3).
Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matt. 7:7), affirming that the “Father who is in heaven [will] give good things to those who ask Him!” (7:11). Do you believe it? Just ask!
