Home > Study Desk. The Scriptures treat largely of the false-false gods, false doctrines, false Christs, and false hopes. Design. Matthew 7:21.Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord. Other parents are not suffered to continue, by reason of death. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs. This is the language of entire dependence. ), But who expect to gather grapes of thorns and figs of thistles. The two criteria on which men most chiefly rest for the guidance “of their religious opinions would here be of no avail; authority would be claimed by the prophet; and private judgment might possibly lead his votaries astray. ), The way to life and the way to destruction unfolded. The support that is given to the spirit of dependence. Martin. The keen opposition made by Satan to the soul’s entry. Is it true that prayer is little else than the half-passive play of sentiment? One was built with far less trouble than the other. 2. A reason for this exhortation and warning. With such persons religion is a question of geography; they are Christians because born in a land of knowledge. That we may continue to be his disciples to the end, it is not enough that we are merely submissive, and allow ourselves to be governed by his Word. Matthew 7:3.And why seest thou the straw? Apply this test. This is a mistake. What Divine wisdom to make the golden rule a fundamental law in both the Jewish and Christian systems. This rule must be taken with certain modifications, not absolutely; we might wish others to do things unreasonable and sinful; it must recognize the law of God. Some of its paths lead to destruction of character. The relationship which God bears to His people.. Whatever is taught in Scripture, for instance, about the corrupt nature of man, free justification, and eternal election, is turned by many into an encouragement to sloth and to carnal indulgence. The impression of this Sermon on the minds of the people-“They were astonished,” etc. (D. C. Hughes, M. The example of the multitude. That men should do to you, do ye even so to them. If you build, you must look after a place. There is a lesson of instruction, rebuke, warning, encouragement, (R. Tuck, B. The necessity and reasonableness of treating the affairs of religion with caution and prudence in our conversing with others. Spurgeon. Nay, it is accompanied by another and a worse plague: for the greater part of men think that, when they condemn others, they acquire a greater liberty of sinning. Great, certain, near, hastening. The mutual dependence of man upon his fellow man. Lest these trample them under their feet Christ appears to distinguish between the swine and the dogs: attributing brutal stupidity to the swine, and rage to the dogs And certainly, experience shows, that there are two such classes of despisers of God. ), By that I mean it is always at hand, always ready to be appealed to. It would be the best security of our lives, honour, reputation, riches, power. The trial and censure, although out of court, which any kind of superiors do exercise on their inferiors, committed to their care, such as masters and servants. While I have been careful to inform my readers, as to the order of time which is observed by Luke, they will forgive me, I hope, for not being more exact (472) than Matthew in the arrangement of the doctrine. It is not a mere emotion destitute of energy. And so we find it to be round all the circle of science, round every world of knowledge there is also a darkness which no knowledge can penetrate. And, therefore, as we know a man much better when we see him alive and in action than when we only see his picture; so we understand virtue much better when we see it living and acting in a good example than when we only behold it described and pictured in various precepts and discourses. II. The use made of it. In all these things wherein men are unequal, the inequality is not fixed and constant, but mutable and by turns. It is an open profanation of the mysteries of God to expose them to the taunts of wicked men. It is a golden rule. What are they building? 1. 2. III. Is it objected, that few persons are endued with such acuteness, as to distinguish good fruits from bad? (J. Tillotson, D. D.). He means, that the Gospel, if it be not deeply rooted in the mind, is like a wall, which has been raised to a great height, but does not rest on any foundation. I. The sayings of Christ are imperative. (Wilmot Buxton. (Swinnock. They found it out in a terrible way. II. Whoever thinks about it cannot fail to see two things. 4. Matthew 8:6 - and saying, 'Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.' Both builders rest securely in their houses. Both build a house. All men are equal in many things, and these the greatest things. That sin may exist in man to an enormous extent, and yet he be unconscious of it-“the beam.” Several things tend to produce this unconsciousness. but the glory of the Father who sent him,â (John 7:18.). (E. R. Conder, D. D.). 2. They would feel already free. A man fancies lie is building a fortune, when in reality he is building a prison for himself. To many men it might well seem that the Word of God had become petrified, for they receive it as a hard, lifeless creed, a stone upon which to sharpen the daggers of controversy, a stumbling-block for young beginners, a millstone with which to break opponents’ heads, after the manner experienced by Abimelech at Thebez. We are warned against unmerciful judgments. Parents cannot always be with their children. Matthew 7:6. 3. Both profess to be religious. So that character that is rightly founded and builded in Christ will not only be secure itself, but light others to security, (C. H. 2. The expectation of it. (Baring Gould, M. The constant call to the multitude to repent. It is infinitely condescending, but is it not also superlatively natural that being a Father He should act as such? I. 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. Ruinous. (A. McAuslane, D. D.). Never be afraid of being too earnest. Yet it has existed in all ages, and exists, too, in the present day. The equity of the rule stands upon these foundations. We must extend our notion of happiness beyond the ancient conception of it. (W. The testimony of works is louder and clearer than that of words, and the frame of men’s hearts must be measured rather by what they do than by what they say. But this is ever at hand. The exalted perfection of the law of Jesus Christ joined to the extreme weakness of man in the state of corrupt nature. II. 2. In these days of agricultural depression we have need to remember them. Hitchens.). what do they care for its straitness?-enough for them that there is a gate. And the eternal unchangeableness of the foundation, makes the poorest, weakest stone that is once fastened to it, unshaken and impregnable as the throne of Jehovah. 1. Now at that feast, &c.— Pilate had already sent Jesus to Herod, having learned that he belonged to Galilee; and Herod had sent him back to him. (J. 2. ), Audacity, in reverent sense, better expresses the word than authority. Chrysostom and others limit this statement to the present life: but that is a forced interpretation. If God exists, if He be a Personal Being, then surely we may reach Him if we will. The proof of sincerity is doing. Some under-estimate errors in matters of doctrine. Their hypocrisy, I do own, is at length discovered; for nothing is more difficult than to counterfeit virtue. The Spirit of God shows a man the Rock. (476) It is a heinous wickedness in the Papists to repeal the command of Christ, by infusing into unhappy persons an unfounded dread, (477) which deters them from making inquiry. That the usage we expect from God the same in measure we should deal out to others. 4. In their personal character; in their practice; in the foundations on which they built; in the final result of each. (U. P. Philpot, M. The natural affection of earthly parents. Surer and safer is their outgate, if slaves to sin were as willing to be free. The figures Christ has employed set forth the difficulty of salvation. 4. Prayer, too, is a foreseen action of man, and is embraced in the eternal purpose of God. That mere sincerity is not salvation. Now, my friend, I can tell you the day and hour you are going to be converted.” The man looked at me, and I have no doubt thought I was a little wild. The present instruction is not at all connected with what came immediately before, but is entirely separate from it. The foolish builder represents likewise the hearer of the gospel, on whose mind its Divine truths only partially operate. ), Prayer a duty, even though there be no desire to pray. That there is nothing to prevent God’s providing for us. Whence it is that such ill-founded structures are, upon trial, sure to fall. As an argument for Christianity in the widest sense of the word. (Salter.). 4. We must beware lest we ignore the possibilities of good even in a bad man. (467) I have already said, that Matthew does not give here a single discourse, but a summary of doctrine collected out of many sermons. (E. Bersier, D. D.), Salvation: its difficulty argues its worth, The difficulty of obtaining shows the excellency; and, surely, if you consider but what it cost Christ to purchase it; what it costs God’s Spirit to bring men’s hearts to it; what it costs ministers to persuade to it; what it costs Christians, after all this, to obtain it; and what it costs many a half-Christian that, after all, goes without it; you will say that here is difficulty, and therefore excellency. That active obeying the will of God is the decisive test of being in the kingdom of God. 2. The delusive hopes which many will cherish as to admission into Christ’s kingdom by means of other qualifications. A proof that Christ was what He professed to be. Prayer not optional; it is a duty. I. Two ways contrasted-“broad,” “narrow.”. II. This rule must be done not only out of love to man, but out of love to God, and as an act of obedience. The architect was confident that the structure was strong, and laughed at the criticisms upon it. “When Christianity appeared in the world, Roman civilization had practically failed. Noel.). There is the encouragement of conscious progress. 2. I. There are in their character-. That great results may be caused to grow out of small beginnings. Good.). In respect to the profession they make. III. Avoidance of passing rash judgments on others. (T. 3. He refers to the common principle of retribution. Home > Commentaries > Barnes' Notes > Matthew > Chapter 7. The gate is “wide,” etc. There is a wide difference between wise caution and perverse squeamishness. If we ask him why, he says, “Oh, I hate Latin! True religion is likened to a man’s own house. When Christ says, that they come to us in sheepâs clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves, his meaning is, that they do not want a very plausible pretense, if prudence be not exercised in subjecting them to a thorough examination. An exhortation and warning, how to direct our course for the other world, which this life is but the avenue to. There is no allusion to the atonement. Men’s practices are the best indexes of their principles. Fortuity. 4. The Emperor Alexander Severus was so charmed by the excellence of this “golden rule,” that he obliged a crier to repeat it whenever he had occasion to punish any person; and caused it to be inscribed in the most noted parts of his palace, and on many of the public buildings: he also professed so high a regard for Christ, as having been the author of so excellent a rule, that he desired to have Him enrolled among the deities. Satan. There is nothing which we do not allow ourselves to ask from God; and if he does not humor our folly, we exclaim against him. According to this rule the decisions of the great day will be regulated. In matters of commerce and contracts which arise from thence. It injures the individual who practises it. It does not say when you shall receive. Test drive it and tell us about your experience. (E. R. Conder, D. D.), Shall we look at one or two other builders? 4. That prayer is answered is a matter of personal experience. 2. Infirmity cleaves to us all; the gospel of pardon in Christ requires sincerity in doing His will; a partial obedience will not please Him. The caution which we must observe in its discharge-“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,” etc. 3. II. It is certain, indeed, that often, when believers are asleep, God keeps watch over their salvation, and anticipates their wishes. A means of Christian holiness is the earthly life of the personal and human Christ. A. Seiss, D. D.), They hinder repentance by bidding us believe, I. Another gift we owe our children is a high and worthy ideal. ), The supreme importance of personal salvation, I. Who knowingly drinks from a poisoned cup because the beaded bubbles on the brim reflect the colours of the rainbow? This vice is attended by some strange enjoyment: for there is hardly any person who is not tickled with the desire of inquiring into other peopleâs faults. Stability. Click the Bible for the all new StudyLight.org!! (R. Halley, D. D.), There is a schoolboy, yawning over his lesson. Three things are to be done before this rule will be of use to us. Who heareth these sayings The relative these denotes not one class of sayings, but the whole amount of doctrine. He is sowing thistles; and by and by, when his school-days are over, the prickles will sting him, and the empty, useless seed be a plague in his neighbours’ fields. A recognition of the hindrances which we meet in prayer. A tree of the Lord’s right hand planting bears fruit to His glory, visible to all about him. As of labour: what an advantage religion is likened to a man may think well, or hornstone the! That their profession is deceitful and false.â and what is more than one at... 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