Intro to Matt. 7:1-6

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/11/2021 11:41 AM

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  PT-1 “Intro to Matt. 7:1-6

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Matt. 7:1-6

 

            Message of the verses:  “1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 “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? 4 “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? 5 “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. 6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

 

            We have spent a couple of days over three months in studying the second chapter of three in what is probably the most important sermon that was ever given, as it was given by our Lord Jesus Christ at the beginning of his three plus year ministry which ended with His death, burial, resurrection, and the assent into heaven.  This study of “The Sermon on the Mount” has been eye opening to me and I hope that it has also been a blessing to those who are reading these Spiritual Diaries each day.

 

            John MacArthur entitles his 40^th chapter in his first commentary of Matthew 1-7 “Stop Criticizing,” and after reading over these first six verses I have to say that this is a great title.

 

            Jesus continues in the Sermon on the Mount to show the contrast to that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, as they were those who had hypocritical self-righteousness and this was in direct opposition to the true righteousness.  We have read in many of the early verses from this sermon where Jesus talks about those of old, and what He meant by this was those of old had traditions which was opposed to the Word of God. 

 

            MacArthur writes “Here the comparison is in the area of human relations.  Six verses (1-6) focus on the negative aspect of a self-righteous, judgmental spirit, and the following six verses (7-12) focus on the contrasting positive aspect of a spirit that is humble, trusting, and loving.  Those twelve verses from the divine summation of all the principles of right human relations.”

 

            The same thing that happens in a religious system can also happen in a political system as when an individual or a group of people develop their own standards of religion and morality they will inevitably judge everyone by those standards that they have developed.  This is what happened over the years before Christ came to earth and the Pharisees among others exchanged the truth of God’s Word for their own traditions and standards and that is why they hated Jesus some much that they would end up having Him put to death.

 

            What is the outcome of all of this?  Well if people don’t go along with what the Scribes and the Pharisees taught they would look down on them and want to punish them.  Think of what they did to Stephen shortly after the church began, and also think of what Saul of Tarsus was doing until the Lord stopped him by calling him to salvation on the road to Damascus as seen in Acts chapter nine.

 

            I will conclude this SD by quoting one more paragraph from MacArthur’s commentary:  “Along with the many other sins spawned by their self-righteousness, the scribes and Pharisees had become oppressively judgmental.  They proudly looked down on everyone who was nto a part of their elite system.  They were unmerciful, unforgiving, unkind, censorious, and totally lacking in compassion and grace.”

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I suppose that things like this can happen inside the church of Jesus Christ as there are many things that people can fight and disagree on in some of the doctrines, but in the end it is not worth it as one day we will all live together in harmony.

 

My Steps of Faith For Today:  I have two lessons to prepare for this week and for many weeks to come as my friend Wade has asked me to teach a Bible Study beginning this coming Thursday and then I have, what I consider one of the most important lessons that I have taught to our Sunday school class this coming Sunday. I will trust the Lord to give me the words to say that will bring glory to the Him.

 

1/11/2021 12:21 PM