Matthew 7 - The Golden Rule, Law of Love and Liberty
Christ is teaching His disciples how to teach God's Word. He teaches us not to be critical of others, not to judge others, and not to talk about others. He wants us to take off the blinders and learn the truth, then teach the truth, not traditions of men.
1Judge not, that ye be not judged. Don't criticize or be negative towards others all the time, then you won't be criticized.
2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. The old saying. What goes around, comes around. Others will treat you as you treat them.
3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Don't talk about others, because there is plenty to talk about in your own family. Worry about your own faults before you talk about theirs.
4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? You can't help anyone with their little faults, if you can't even correct your own faults first. (Better to mind your business).
5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. First you need to work on your own faults before helping another with the same problem.
6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. If you are going to teach God's word, teach it to those who seek it. Not to those who really don't care or reject it. The book of Proverbs would best explain it. If you rebuke a mocker, you will only get a smart remark in return. But a wise man, when rebuked, will love you all the more. Reference: (Proverbs 9:7-12).
7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Christ is not speaking of material things here. He is speaking of God's Word and one that is following His work. Ask for something that will further the will of God. Ask for wisdom and knowledge in His Word, "then He will open the door to you."
8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. When you want the truth, here is the combination. Ask, seek, and knock; the door will open and the truth will be open to you.
9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Remember Christ is that bread of life. God will always grant you what you ask for if you are in need of it.
10Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? The fish is the Christian symbol. The serpent represents Satan. The Heavenly Father will always give His Children what is good.
11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Even sinful men know how to give good gifts to their children. Just think how much more our Heavenly Father will give good gifts (spiritual gifts), to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13).
12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. To sum it up, this is the law of love. "Do to others what you want them to do to you." (Luke 6:31). The "law of liberty," "love your neighbor as thyself." (Galatians 5:13-14).
13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: The narrow gate is the way to righteousness and to heaven. The wide path is the ways of the world, the highway to hell. (Those who always want to take the easy way out). You have two paths, or gates to follow. Reference: (Deuteronomy 30:14-18).
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. The gateway to life is small and the road is narrow. "Only a few will find it." However, this number has increased since the crucifixion. Many have found the way in the past, and many more will find it in the near future.
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. A prophet is a true man of God and teacher of the Word. Plenty of fakes out there deceiving people teaching their own doctrine and traditions of men. Christ warns us to stay away from these wolves in sheep's clothing.
16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? It shows in what they teach and the way they act. Is it really God's Word? "You can't learn solid truth from a know it all." (One who says they are the only ones with the truth and everyone else is wrong). Gods truth is spreading around the world through all His children. (Not just a select few).
17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. There is truth in all religions. Your job is to discern what is good and what is bad.
18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. A good teacher brings forth positive useful knowledge. A bad teacher cannot communicate on a positive level and brings forth worthless knowledge.
19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. When you teach junk, it will not be long before people get wise to it. It will be rejected and chopped down by truth only to be burned. (Luke 3:9, Hebrews 6:8).
20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, you can identify a person by their actions.
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Not everyone who calls out to the Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Many think just because they put on the act of believer they are right with God. You must be doing the will of God (whatever it may be), "Not the will of man."
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? At judgment, many will say they are of Christ, but God did not send these false teachers.
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. God will reject and expose them for their evil deeds (breakers of His law), and false teachings. (Luke 13:27).
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: All who listen to the instructions of Christ are wise. "Christ is our rock, Christ is our solid foundation." (1 Corinthians 3:10-11).
25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Instruction and truth founded upon solid bedrock (Jesus Christ), "the truth of God's Word, for He is the living Word."
26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Those who are fakes, teach false doctrines and traditions of men. (Their foundation will sink into the sand).
27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. It will not be able to withstand what is coming in the end times. What is to come? A day when every mans works will be tested by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:13).
28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: The crowds were amazed at the teachings of Jesus.
29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. A good teacher teaches with authority and truth of God's Word. Not someone who follows church doctrines and traditions of men. Jesus didn't spend to much time quoting others, "Jesus knew and taught like it was His own Word." Well, it was, "Jesus is the living word." In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2).
Keep the faith,
Barton
