[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 7
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1)
“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7)
“So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12)
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 6:19)
“Not everyone who says to me “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven but only those who does the will of my Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21)
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24)
JUDGING OTHERS (vs. 1-6)
Judging here means harsh judgment, unjust criticism and unfair opinion towards others. It does not mean that we cannot use God-given wisdom to evaluate people. It neither prohibits church discipline. They eye is used as a symbol because the eye represents the spiritual outlook of a person. When your eye has a speck, the first thing you will see is the speck in your own eye. That is why before you judge, you have first to examine yourself.
ASK, SEEK, KNOCK (vs. 7-12)
Prayer is the key for us to seek wisdom and strength from God. It is the way to ask provision, protection comfort because God promises to supply our needs if we knock at His door. His grace is sufficient to satisfy our physical and emotional neds. “As an earthly father knows to give good gifts to his children, how much more will our Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him” (v. 11) . There is a golden rule that sums up the Law and the Prophets – “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (v. 12)
THE NARROW AND WIDE GATES (vs. 13-14)
There are two ways of life-style. The easy way and the difficult way. The easy way is comfortable and popular that leads to destruction. The difficult way is hard and sacrificial but it leads to life.
A TREE AND ITS FRUITS (vs. 15-23)
There are so many “counterfeit” Christians whose inward nature have not changed. They are merely wolf in sheep’s skin. They profess to be Christians by involving in religious activities, but in reality, they are not saved. The way to know false believers is to see their fruits. A good tree cannot bear bad fruits and a bad tree cannot bear good fruits.
Fruits that a Christian must bear:
- Fruit of Spirit – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) The Vulgate version of Galatians has 12 fruits: Charity instead of love, plus forbearance, modesty, and chastity
- Fruit in keeping with repentance – Regenerated Christian (Luke 3:8)
- Fruit of the Light – Goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph. 5:9)
- Fruit of Righteousness – Pure and blameless (Phil. 1:11)
- Fruit of the lips – Praise (Heb. 13:15)
- Fruit of Holy Living – Good testimony (Rom. 6:22)
- Fruit of Good Works – Helping people (Col. 1:10)
- Harvest of Lost Souls – Proclaiming the gospel (Rom. 1:13)
THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH BUILDERS (vs. 24-29)
There are two builders – the wise and the foolish. The wise builder laid foundation of the house on the rock while the foolish laid its foundation on the sand. When rain comes, the house on the rock did not fall but the house on the sand crumbles and washes way. This parable represents two men that portray the actual life of men. A true Christian is founded on the Rock – Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). When trials and temptation come, he can stand firm on his faith and become victorious at the end because he is the doer of His Word. However, the false Christian is founded on material things in this world (wealth, prestige, possession). When difficulties come, they fall away immediately.
SUMMARY: What a true Christian is:
- He is not judgmental
- He prays to God for his needs and depend upon His provision
- He lives a righteous and self-denial life
- He bears good fruits
- Jesus is the foundation of his life
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