Matthew 7 & Matthew 8 - I did not make any comments on Chapter 8 in this post.
Matthew 7 ends what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It is hard to just comment on only one section because each is so important. If we all only had one sermon to live by this would be the sermon, Mt 5-7. If everyone would obey all that is mentioned in this sermon the world would be a much different place. The reality is that we follow our own desires, because at our core we are selfish individuals who trust our own wisdom.
Here in Matthew 7 I have been impressed to examine my life in several areas.
Eye Exams
First, from Matthew 7:1-5 before I look at what is in someone else’s eye I must examine my own. I must look in the mirror at myself before I can think I will be able to see clearly enough to help others. Looking at myself includes a couple of things.
1. I must allow others to get to know me to a level where they are comfortable enough to point out the plank or dust in my eyes. Simply put I need several people in my life to love me enough to tell me what they see in my life. I can get this from the church body.
2. I must allow “the perfect law of liberty” James 1:25 to be my spiritual mirror, which will correctly identify the plank or dust in my eyes. Simply put I need to read, meditate, hear, apply scripture. I can get this through the church body.
Fruit Samples
Secondly, from Matthew 7:15-20 I must examine the fruit that is being produced in my life. If I am a healthy tree that is bearing good fruit I must be abiding in Him. What is this good fruit that should be hanging around me? Let’s consider Galatians 5:22 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self control. If this fruit is not being produced in my life then I have need to do a further examination of the tree. What kind of tree am I; a healthy or diseased one?
Relationship Compatibility
Thirdly, from Matthew 7:21-23 I must examine my relationship with the Lord. Am I just an active, busy and religious person or do I have a personal, intimate, loving relationship with Him, seeking to do His will. I think that these verses tell us of the absolutely worse thing that a person could ever hear. The persons describe here are living a life of self-deception base upon religious activity. They have failed the relationship compatibility in the only relationship that matters.
Building Inspection
Finally, from Matthew 7:24-27 I must do a building inspection. I must start with the foundation. Does my life indicate obedience to the words of Jesus from the sermon on the Mount? This does not need to be a simple past through building inspection. I must do the hard work of crawling in the dirt and mud to inspect the foundation, often those unseen areas of the building. The foundation is my heart relationship with Jesus. Is my foundation solely found in the person and work of Jesus Christ? Does it have any areas that may need repair or are there any weak points? This is not just a onetime building inspection, but on going one before our Creator.
Prayer: Jesus, I desire that you would examine me from my eyes to the foundation of my heart. Where I need others to examine me, place them strategically in my life that I would know the truth about myself. Where I need to correction in doing your will, powerfully use your words to convict me of the truth, so I would repent and do your will. Amen