Readings for Lent: Matthew 7

Jesus Taught

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:1-3).

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened “ (7:7).

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (7:12 ~ The Golden Rule).

“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” (7:13).

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered by thornbushes, or figs from thistle? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit…” (7:15-17).

Do the Will of God

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day, many will say, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then, [Jesus says] I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (7:21).

Build Your House on the Rock

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (7:24-27).

When He Finished Teaching

“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (7:28-29).

Application

As we read Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7, we are reminded again that God created us with a mind and a will so that it is up to us to choose to seek God, to follow Him, and to learn His principles and commandments. Doing these things demonstrates our faith in God.