Matthew 7

Read Matthew 7 – Boundaries – Don’t get lost. Live wise, examine yourself and walk close to Jesus as he gives us some boundaries for life.

I was a little confused between :1 ‘Judge not’, and :6 ‘Don’t give dogs what is holy’. There has to be some judgment in order to know who the dogs and pigs are, right? So I looked to the commentators and found David Guzik gave me understanding, “Our love for others must not blind us to their hardened rejection of the good news of the kingdom…. The Christian is called to show unconditional love, but the Christian is not called to unconditional approval.”

We live in trying times, and the world likes to tell us we are judgmental for upholding biblical values. We must not let the lines get blurry lest we divert from the narrow gate. Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” :13

And how about when he says we are to ask, seek and knock? (:7-11) Boundaries dictate that we must ask… the kingdom of heaven is not the default. We must seek and knock… we don’t just get in, there is a door. Jesus cautions us in verses :21-23 that many will assume they are getting into heaven, they will knock, only to be told the truth by Jesus, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” :23

Our chapter ends telling us the crowds were astonished at the authoritative way Jesus taught. May each of us be astonished as well and take his words to heart. JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. ❤