Anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.
Jesus

Notes taken from my study of Matthew 7
using The Message, The Voice and NIV 1984

Whatever standards you set for others will be demanded of you. In the same way before you are critical, judgemental, and harsh towards others, are you guilty of the same things?

It is easier to focus on the faults of others and make excuses for our own.
If we really want what is best for others wouldn’t it make sense to be sure we clearly see our own shortcomings before we try to correct theirs?

Don’t reduce sacred things to t-shirt theology and trendy slogans. In our attempt to be relevant we can water down the truth and misrepresent the mission.

Don’t bargain with God.
Ask, seek, knock, let Him know what you want.
He is not looking for ways to deny what you need. If we who are less than perfect parents love and want good things for our children, why would we not think God, who loves us so much more would want to give good things to those who ask Him?

To sum up how we treat others, ask yourself what would you want people to do for you?
How would you want to be treated? And then following the example of our Father, take the initiative to do what you would like done to you, to treat someone how you would like to be treated, and show that kindness to someone else.
Before they ask, even when they don’t deserve it.

Don’t look for shortcuts to God.
Wide and broad leads to destruction. The way to God cannot be found through easygoing, in your spare time formulas.
The small gate and narrow way is hard to find and requires vigorous and total attention.

Be wary of false prophets disguising themselves as preachers and teachers.
It’s not about charisma but character and who they are is more important than what they say.

We can’t just identity with Jesus, know all the correct passwords, even do good things in His name.
What is required is relationship. Relationship that produces serious obedience, doing His will above all else.

I love the way the Message phrases Jesus’ final thoughts in this chapter

These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” – Matthew 7:24:26

Anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.
Jesus

September 15 2016