Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 what He expects from His disciples. We are Jesus’ disciples when we decide to follow Him.
Don’t be a hypocrite
We know from the previous chapter in Matthew that Jesus warned us to not be a hypocrite. Here, Jesus explains further how we should practice what we preach and not judge other people.
“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)
No one is perfect. We should not look at other Christians and see their faults only. If we see their faults, do we do the same thing but to a different degree? Instead, focus on other people’s strong points and learn from them. If we notice a brother or sister is not doing what God says, first examine ourselves to see if we are doing what He says. If not, correct ourselves first. Then go help the brother or sister.
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
Pray and don’t give up
Jesus encourages us to pray and not give up.
“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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7-11)
Sometimes we ask God for something and immediately get what we ask for. This is what Jesus means when He says, “Ask, and it will be given to you”.
Other times, we need to seek God for the answer. How many times have we come to God in prayer to only look for the thing we are asking, but not pay any attention to the Giver?
We should not simply come to God whenever we want something. But we need to be seeking God Himself. And worship Him. We need to practice listening to God through His word, and listening to God to give us direction. When we seek God on a daily basis, He will guide us in everything we do.
Finally, we need to be persistent in prayer. Sometimes God tests our faith to help us grow.
Jesus taught a parable of a persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1).
This persistent widow kept asking a judge for justice, and she got what she wanted. We should also keep asking God and not give up. This is like a person who keeps knocking on the door until it is opened.
Jesus says, “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). So God tests us to see whether we have persistent faith. If we don’t get an answer after praying two or three times, do we keep praying? When Jesus is ready to come give us the answer, will He find faith in us?
Therefore, don’t lose heart or become discouraged! Keep trusting God and don’t give up!
Do what Jesus says
Jesus tells us that the road to the kingdom of heaven is narrow and the gate is small (Matthew 7:13-14). There is only one way to heaven. That is through the Lord Jesus Christ: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
So we need to believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Furthermore, we need to learn to practice what He says.
If we purposefully do not do what Jesus says, then we become hypocrites. “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).
Jesus gives an example of people who call Him “Lord, Lord”, but don’t do the will of God: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'” (Matthew 7:21-23).
God is not impressed if people work miracles in His name, but in their hearts, they are far away from God. People could work miracles but be using the power of darkness. Or people could falsely prophesy in God’s name even though God had not spoken to them.
Even the devil and false prophet can work miracles (Revelation 13:13-14). Even the demons know God exists and tremble: “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” (James 2:19).
Jesus says that those who purposefully don’t obey God are those who practice lawlessness. Jesus tells us to act on His words instead of simply listen to His words.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)
If you have any sins, ask God’s forgiveness and He will forgive you. Work with God to overcome those sins. Learn to do good, and practice Jesus’ teachings in your daily life.
Read Matthew 7 (NIV) in the Bible. See other lessons in the Gospel of Matthew.