Matthew 7
The seventh chapter of Matthew covers the concluding remarks of the sermon on the mount, which include judging, asking, golden rule, the wide versus narrow gates, false teaching, true way into the kingdom, rock versus sand and the crowd response.
While a large majority of this passage is utterly practical and self explanatory, I did want to pass along a few quick notes:
Firstly, Matthew 7:1 (for me) is one of the most misused, misquoted verses in the Bible. One only need to look at verse 16 in the same chapter to understand that judgment is not the same as biblical discernment or gentle reproofs. If someone is traversing a path that leads to destruction, we must warn them of the impending landslide heading their way. JM notes that the type of judgment that Christ prohibited was censorious, hypocritical, self-righteousness judgment.
The other interesting note comes from the aforementioned v. 16. While Christ is in no way encouraging or teaching a "works based" faith system (i.e. earn you way to Heaven with good works) He is teaching that the natural, normal result of genuine faith will be good, visible fruit in one's life.
