Summary:
Judging Others
Verses 1-6
Don't judge or you will be judged by the same measure that you used.
" 'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.' " (Verses 3-5)
Do not give what is sacred to dogs or give your pearls to pigs. Otherwise, they will trample your treasures and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
Verses 7-12
" 'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.' " (Verses 7-8)
Who will give a stone to a child that asks for bread? Or give a snake to a child that asks for a fish?
" '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 good gifts to those who ask Him!' " (Verse 11)
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you. This sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
Verses 13-14
Enter through the narrow gate. The road that leads to destruction is broad and has a wide gate. Many enter through it. The road that leads to life is narrow and has a small gate. Only a few find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
Verses 15-23
Watch out for false prophets. They are ferocious wolves in sheep's clothing. You will recognize them by their fruit. Only good trees bear good fruit, and only bad trees bear bad fruit. Bad trees must be cut down and thrown into the fire.
" 'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord", will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 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 perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" ' " (Verses 21-23)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
Verses 24-29
Those that hear Christ's words and practices them is like a wise man that built his house on a rock. The rain and winds beat down on it, but it didn't fall, because it had the rock as its foundation. Those that hear and don't practice are like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain and winds beat down on it and it fell with a great crash.
When Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed, because He taught as One with authority and not as their teachers of the law.
Lori's Thoughts:
To me, judging is sizing someone up and determining how you interact with them, based on various standards. I have been mistreated for my lower middle class status, for being Hispanic, and for being pretty. I also have a tendency to judge based on race and appearance. I am leery of Hispanic men and I feel uncomfortable around people that are overweight. I believe that the standards by which we judge others stem from our own insecurities. This is why Jesus tells us to clean up our own act before we judge or shun anyone else.
If we are connected to God, we are connected to love. We will see people through His eyes - as Children of God. Some are lost, some are found. But, we have no right to treat anyone other than how Christ would treat them. And He was seen with people who had diseases, handicaps, and bad reputations. But, He didn't come to leave us this way. He came to help us live better, to rise above our faults. And who could be more fitting to point out our faults than He who is and was blameless? He did so out of and through love. We must be the same way.
. . .
Those who ask, seek, or knock do so with hope. Maybe not faith, at first, because they have been let down by others before. These others are human. Jesus said that those that ask, seek, and knock will be answered, will find, and will be opened up to. Those without hope or faith won't even try. (Remember, we have each been given a measure of faith - see Romans 12:3) But, Jesus says that those that try will not be disappointed! Not if you shift your focus to God. And, once you see that He does respond to your requests, your faith will begin to grow. And the next you go through something challenging, you'll know that He is with you as He was in the past.
If God gives gifts to His children, we should do the same. We are to love others as we want to be loved and as God loves us.
. . .
Treasures on earth are tangible and instantly gratifying. But, they are only superficially so.
It is hard to give up niceties, attention, glamour, and riches. It's hard to choose the seemingly lonely, quiet, and challenging road. But, this road leads to fulfillment in a more deep sense than anyone could ever find on the self-serving road.
Isn't it ironic how the pople on the more-traveled road are the most isolated. They can't trust each other. There are thieves, liars, back-stabbers...all to get to the top of the economic ladder.
Those who choose to endure this life for treasures in heaven have security in God. Even though we will suffer, we know that this earth is not our final destination. We know that we have hope and a future. We know that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. And while we wait, we will enjoy the fruits of the Spirit - peace, joy, love...
Speaking of fruit, those that exude peace, joy, love, etc. belong to God. Their hearts are homes to the Holy Spirit.
Just because someone performs miracles or prophesies or exorcises does not mean they are of God. The devil can provide these powers. Test the spirits! (I John 4:1-6)
We must not move without first seeking God's direction. He may tell us to stay.
Those that do His will will enter heaven. I need to work on this. I'm so eager to do works that I forget to ask for His permission. And, I don't want to be separated from Him. I trust God's wisdom and view of it all. I can only see a speck of His plan. And I surrender to His perfect will and trust that He wants me to prosper.
. . .
So, we must study God's word and act on it. Don't just read your Bible or listen to a sermon and say, "That's nice. I believe it." Ask God how you can live it!
Christ is the solid rock foundation. Those that stand in Him will not be shaken so much that they will be knocked down and trampled.
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)
Natalie Grant's "I Will Not Be Moved"
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