Matthew 7:1-11
Today’s Passage: Matthew 7:1-11
I love these verses in Matthew. They are located in the sermon on the mount where
Jesus is preaching on true righteousness in the kingdom of God. He teaches on so
many topics. Two thoughts for you today because verses 1-6 is so different from verses
7-11.
THOUGHT ONE: DON’T ELEVATE YOURSELF OVER OTHERS (1-6)
Jesus says “Judge not, that you not be judged.” Here is what Jesus is NOT saying
here... He is not saying don’t exercise judgment. He is saying don’t be judgemental.
God has given us His Word. We know what is right and wrong. We are called to
exercise biblical judgment and even called to call people to repentance. That is not
the same thing as judging. Holiness is not the same thing as legalism. But we are
called to not elevate ourselves over people. We are no better. We all need grace. How
do we do this? We align ourselves to God before speaking into someone else’s life. Yes,
we are called to speak into their lives but we are not called to elevate ourselves over
them.
THOUGHT TWO: HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD (7-11)
After this thought of humility before others, Jesus turns to humility before God. Prayer
is expressed helplessness. And what we learn from these verses is that (1) we need
prayer (2) God loves it when we pray. And Jesus talks about the confidence that we
can have from God in prayer... He is our FATHER... Since He is our Father we can trust
Him to give us GOOD THINGS. If God our Father is holy, sovereign, loving, and good
then He is supremely trustworthy. Does prayer mark our lives? If it doesn't what does
that show about our humility before God?
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. / Philippians 2:3
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to
the humble.” / James 4:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper
time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. /
1 Peter 5:6-7
Written By: Nick Parsons
I love these verses in Matthew. They are located in the sermon on the mount where
Jesus is preaching on true righteousness in the kingdom of God. He teaches on so
many topics. Two thoughts for you today because verses 1-6 is so different from verses
7-11.
THOUGHT ONE: DON’T ELEVATE YOURSELF OVER OTHERS (1-6)
Jesus says “Judge not, that you not be judged.” Here is what Jesus is NOT saying
here... He is not saying don’t exercise judgment. He is saying don’t be judgemental.
God has given us His Word. We know what is right and wrong. We are called to
exercise biblical judgment and even called to call people to repentance. That is not
the same thing as judging. Holiness is not the same thing as legalism. But we are
called to not elevate ourselves over people. We are no better. We all need grace. How
do we do this? We align ourselves to God before speaking into someone else’s life. Yes,
we are called to speak into their lives but we are not called to elevate ourselves over
them.
THOUGHT TWO: HUMBLE YOURSELF BEFORE GOD (7-11)
After this thought of humility before others, Jesus turns to humility before God. Prayer
is expressed helplessness. And what we learn from these verses is that (1) we need
prayer (2) God loves it when we pray. And Jesus talks about the confidence that we
can have from God in prayer... He is our FATHER... Since He is our Father we can trust
Him to give us GOOD THINGS. If God our Father is holy, sovereign, loving, and good
then He is supremely trustworthy. Does prayer mark our lives? If it doesn't what does
that show about our humility before God?
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. / Philippians 2:3
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to
the humble.” / James 4:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper
time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. /
1 Peter 5:6-7
Written By: Nick Parsons
No Comments