Matthew 7

Matthew 7

Some hard teaching in Matthew 7

Matthew 7:1-2 NIV

[1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

In John 8 a woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus. John 8:7 NIV

[7] When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Since we are all sinful we should not “throw stones” at or judge others.  There are many Christians today that are very judgmental and often turn people away from Jesus due to this judgmental attitude. Until I take care of my own son I should not be so quick to judge others. 

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

[7] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Do I ask? Do I seek? Am I knocking on the door wanting to get to know Jesus better?  The Bible is full of promises if we are truly seeking god. 

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

[13] “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

This and the next verse are hard teachings as they indicate that few will enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Being a true follower of Jesus is the narrow path and few truly take it. Are you on the right path?

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Many preach and talk about Jesus but what he wants is a relationship. Are we spending time with god?  All relationships require time and energy. If you are not investing time and energy into people then there really isn’t a good relationship there. We can get pulled away from relationships for many reasons like work and even good works like church committees and mission or volunteer work. Even if they are good things, if the force is to sacrifice time with family or god then those relationships will fail. Just like in the song “cats in the cradle.”

Matthew 7:29 NIV

[29] because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Another indication that Jesus is the son of god. He teaches with authority that can only be given to him from

God.   His authority is above the teachers of the law.