We reap what we sow. 3. He had nothing higher to represent than Himself. 2. The second founded on the gift of prophecy-that is to propagate Christianity and promote edification, separable from a holy life. 4. A man must have a stout digestion to feed upon some men’s theology; no sap, no sweetness, no life, but all stern accuracy, and fleshless definition. In all these things wherein men are unequal, the inequality is not fixed and constant, but mutable and by turns. ), But while we are thinking of the teachers that are without, let us not forget that we all have within us a false prophet, the most insidious, and therefore the most dangerous of all. Prayer is not chiefly a petition for something that we want and do not possess. It is an acknowledged fact that every human action and word is followed inevitably by certain consequences, which are good or bad. How compendious the Saviour’s method of providing for the practice of all the moral duties enjoined by Moses and the prophets! He condemns the habit of communicating to others the rash and severe judgments we have formed, when no necessity requires it. Is it not most natural? What are the gifts we owe to our children? 2. Swing. (467) I have already said, that Matthew does not give here a single discourse, but a summary of doctrine collected out of many sermons. The moral condition of earthly parents-“evil.”. 3. Because the main drift of religion is the active part of it. The dignity of labour is proverbial. A reason for this exhortation and warning. It is dumb. Luke 23:6-11.At former passovers the governor had courted the favour of the people, by gratifying them with the pardon of any one prisoner whom they pleased. Because godliness with contentment is gain. Because it is the way of holiness. The true qualification for admission into the kingdom of heaven. The third barrier is the false idea of the Divine dignity which is borrowed from our notions of human royalties. (Adams.). (Salter.). That God is the judge of human actions. A. 3. Doubtless there are physical reasons which make the English race so strong; but also moral, latent in our Christianity. A true epistle of Christ is not written in invisible ink, and then sealed up, but it is known and read of all men. Second, we will try to answer the question of how we are to understand the promises that we will receive when we ask, and find when we seek, and have the door opened when we knock. The nature of the profession itself-“I never knew you.”, 4. Go thy way, metaphysical divine, to the stone-yard, and break granite for McAdam, but stand not in the way of loving spirits who would feed the family of God with living bread. Doubt presents no incentive to holiness like that which Christianity offers. Arnot. Both have the same external appearance: but, when the wind and storms blow, and the floods dash against them, the former will immediately fall, while the latter will be sustained by its strength against every assault. II. It was great as to the sacrifice of property. But this is ever at hand. There is no reason to wonder, therefore, if they forbid men to form a judgment of false prophets. The inspired Word is to us spirit and life, and we cannot afford to have it hardened into a huge monolith, or a spiritual Stonehenge-sublime, but cold; majestic, but lifeless; far rather would we have it as our own household book, our bosom companion, the poor man’s counsellor and friend. Because if we be just and generous in time of our prosperity, it will cause a like affection in others to us. The plans and toils of the wicked are vain. Scott. With a grasping and feverish hand he gathers all that he can save of his goods, and laden with his treasures, bending under his burden, he arrives at this door which refuses to give him passage. First among them is a careful training in obedience. 4. II. In certain states of the body men lose all appetite for food. So that character that is rightly founded and builded in Christ will not only be secure itself, but light others to security, (C. H. 1. Upon individuals. (C. H. ), Prayer a duty, even though there be no desire to pray. Matthew 7:1.Judege not These words of Christ do not contain an absolute prohibition from judging, but are intended to cure a disease, which appears to be natural to us all. They ought rather to be aroused to keep watch: for it is not without reason that Christ enjoins them to be on their guard. Both have their religion put to the test. Treffry.). It is easy to be understood and applied, easy to be remembered, carries greater evidence to the conscience than any other rule of virtue, includes a powerful motive, will secure our neighbour from injury and us from guilt, as fitted to awaken repentance as to direct to duty, suits all stations, etc., includes all actions and duties, a rule of the highest prudence, and fitted to make the whole world happy. Each of us, trusting to the grace of Christ, will thus attain confidence in prayer, and will venture freely to call upon God, “through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whom (as Paul says) I. The faithfulness of a holy God. All acknowledge, indeed, that it is an intolerable evil, that those who overlook their own vices are so inveterate against their brethren. (A. McAuslane, D. D.). Verse Matthew 7:6 has in view the ungodly, insensible of good and unclean in their tastes. 1. You have understood me, brethren. 3. (E. Selection. The necessity and reasonableness of treating the affairs of religion with caution and prudence in our conversing with others. I. A warfare in which we must engage; a building we must erect. 4. Matthew 7:9. ἤ, An interrogative particle, corresponding to the Latin an. (E. L. In matters of kindness and courtesies. II. (J. Vaughan, M. That prayer is answered is a matter of personal experience. Some of its paths lead to destruction of health. (D. Kelly, M. I. The primary and immediate design of our Lord in the declaration before us. It may be a feeling of voluntary unbelief. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs. It would be the best security of our lives, honour, reputation, riches, power. Teeth are needlessly broken over the grit of systematic theology, while souls are famishing. He therefore declares, that a day is coming, when he will cleanse his barn, and separate the chaff and straw from the pure wheat. Impose upon no man’s ignorance or unskilfulness. Verse 1 Matthew 7:1.Judege not These words of Christ do not contain an absolute prohibition from judging, but are intended to cure a disease, which appears to be natural to us all. (J. 1. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. There is no superfluity of language, when he says, Ask, seek, knock: but lest the simple doctrine should be unimpressive, he perseveres in order to rouse us from our inactivity. It is of the greatest consequence, undoubtedly, that we should suffer ourselves to be directed by good and faithful ministers of Christ: but as false teachers, on the other hand, make their appearance, if we do not carefully watch, and if we are not fortified by perseverance, we shall be easily carried off from the flock. 8. 3. 1. ), It is easy enough to assume the character and manner of a Christian, but to live the Christian life is not so easy. Trifles may be had at a trivial rate, and men may have damnation- far more easily. Matthew 7:15.But beware of false prophets These words were intended to teach, that the Church would be exposed to various impositions, and that consequently many would be in danger of falling from the faith, if they were not carefully on their guard. A.). The building. 2. III. The encouragement which the text affords us. 3. The nature of the thing makes it a strait gate. 2. III. Hence it is evident, how grievously the words of Christ are tortured by those who think that he limits the doctrine of the Gospel to those only who are teachable and well-prepared. ), Nature’s great law that matter attracts matter; that a vast central world will attract planets from a straight line into a circle; that an earth will draw a falling apple to itself, and hold its liquid sea and liquid air close to itself, and will hold the seas under the air and the land under the sea, is not more fundamental in the material world than the golden rule is in the world of duty and happiness. But the extent of His Fatherly relation is in the text illustrated-by appeal and by contrast. Perfect justice would undoubtedly prevail among us, if we were as faithful in learning active charity, (if we may use the expression,) as we are skillful in teaching passive charity. Not by our acquired knowledge, or fancied experience, or creed; but by fruits. ), Christ did not originate the golden rule, but gave it new meaning and power over men, To find the glory, therefore, of a truth you must not pause with the man who may have first announced it, for he may have had no conception of its worth, and may have given it little love, like the Sibyl who wrote prophecies which she did not herself understand, and which, written upon leaves, she permitted the winds to carry about never to be seen or eared for again. 4. We know what a strong propensity men have to falsehood, so that they not only have a natural desire to be deceived, but each individual appears to be ingenious in deceiving himself. 1. As to statements of spiritual experience. It is proper for a judge not to make himself an accuser. 4. 3. 1. Matthew 7:12.All things whatsoever you would wish The word therefore ( οὖν) is superfluous, as we often find such particles occurring, and without any addition to the sense, in detached sentences. on StudyLight.org The new passage concerning prayer begins, without any trace of connection with what goes before. As illustrated by the well-known comparison which is here employed. Then we have remarked the desultory arrangement and the apparently disconnected progress of ideas. Test drive it and tell us about your experience. Spurgeon. It is the way along which the great bulk of mankind are travelling. Who knowingly drinks from a poisoned cup because the beaded bubbles on the brim reflect the colours of the rainbow? To search the Scriptures, self-examination, prayer, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 6.Give not that which is holy It is unnecessary to repeat oftener, that Matthew gives us here detached sentences, which ought not to be viewed as a continued discourse. Christ reminds the Apostles, and, through them, all the teachers of the Gospel, to reserve the treasure of heavenly wisdom for the children of God alone, and not to expose it to unworthy and profane despisers of his word. It is not a mere emotion destitute of energy. 2. A happy, holy chamber of memory, of which they two alone will have the key. (A. Watch in prayer to see what cometh. 2. The lesson is one of reverence and discretion. Need not depreciate man’s place in the universe; God’s best creature, and He cares for the lowest. Our Lord refers here to the disposition of the father rather than to his discernment, his willingness more than his wisdom. We have in these words, not formal definition of prayer, but an incidental definition, and most complete. 3. Stability. The fallen house involves the eternal ruin of the inmate. To do the will of the Father not only means, to regulate their life and manners, (as philosophers talked (481)) by the rule of virtues, but also to believe in Christ, according to that saying, “This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life,” Never to despair of the Salvation of any of the human family. II. A holy vigilance against whatever may prove an obstacle; custom, curiosity, criticism. The satisfactory and equitable test by which they are to be ascertained, Of this rule we remark. 8. This disease, in the first place, draws continually along with it the injustice of condemning any trivial fault, as if it had been a very heinous crime; and next breaks out into the insolent presumption of looking disdainfully at every action, and passing an unfavourable judgment on it, even when it might be viewed in a good light. It attracts no one. 2. I have therefore thought it best to introduce here the whole passage from Luke, which corresponds to this sentence. (Ephesians 4:14). If we would build safely and well we must build on a right foundation. 6. In declaring His identity with the Godhead. (D. The religion of some is a mere profession: they say unto Him, “Lord, Lord.” Others add to their profession some of the more striking works and offices of Christianity. little boy once went home to his mother and said, “Mother, sister and I went out into the garden, and we were calling about, and there was some boy mocking us.” “How do you mean, Johnny?” said his mother. 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