This chapter concludes the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, and contains several short proverb-like pieces of guidance.
” ‘Judge not, that you be not judged… Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you… So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them… Enter by the narrow gate – that leads to life, and those who find it are few… Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves… 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… Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.’ ” (v1,7,12,13-15,21,24 abr)
The overarching themes here appear to be wisdom and obedience, which are closely linked. Jesus is implying that those who are wise are wise because they obey God, and those who are foolish are foolish because they disobey.
Jesus warns us to build a solid foundation in truth – the real truth that is found in God, not false ‘truths’ that are founded in lies and deceit (Satan and the world). The problem is, we in our flesh cannot tell the difference between the two versions of truth, the two gates, the two different ways of proclaiming God is our Lord – we need the discernment of the Holy Spirit to help guide us.
I think part of the key here is the two different ways of proclaiming God as Lord (see 21-23). There are false servants, whose relationship with God stops at their words and empty good works (eg. Pharisees). Then there are the true servants, who not only proclaim His name and have good works, but they do so in alignment with His guidance and will (eg. the Apostles). How do we know if we’re successfully obeying God’s will? Look at the fruit of our labor, and see if it’s kingdom fruit or worldly fruit (see v15-20).
I encourage us to do our utmost in obedience to God and His will. The gate is narrow, and the way is hard, but the fruit of life will come forth for us, and for those whom the Spirit touches through our obedient works.
Father God, our Glorious Lord, You are our Wise and Discerning King. May we continually seek to obey You and Your will moment by moment, day by day, year by year. May we wisely conduct ourselves in alignment with Your Spirit’s and Word’s leading, and may we be a good example to those around us. May we seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness as our inheritance, and heaven as our reward, from this day forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training