31.z. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God”

 

Matthew 8:23  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

 Matthew 6:30    But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 Matthew 14:30-31     But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

 Matthew 16:8    But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?

 Mark 4:40    He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

 Isaiah 41:10-14   fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Jesus rebuked their fear and unbelief, not their request or waking Him. We shouldn’t think that Jesus was in a bad mood from being awakened. He was upset at their fear, because fear and unbelief go together. When we trust God as we should trust Him, there is little room left for fear.

“He does not chide them for disturbing him with their prayers, but for disturbing themselves with their fears.” (Henry)

They actually had many reasons to have faith, even great faith. They had just seen Jesus do significant miracles, showing great power and authority. They had seen an example of great faith with the centurion who trusted Jesus to heal his servant. They had Jesus with them in the boat. And, they saw Jesus sleep; His peace should have given them peace.

When faith is only strongest in the calm winds of life and fails in the stormy winds of life, what good does it do for that person? What example does it set for those who see your faith failing in the stormy winds of life? What does is say about that person’s faith? I think our faith grows as we: 

  • Spend time in God’s Word and we meditate on it
  • Grow in our understanding, knowledge, and wisdom of God
  • Desire and seek with all our hearts, minds, and souls to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do.
  • Desire and seek to be led and allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit
  • Not only know, but Believe that God is all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing
  • Believe that all things work together for good of those who are His believers, followers, trusters, obeyers

Oh God, help not my belief but my unbelief.

31.x. “He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them”

 

Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

 Mark 1:32-34   That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.  And the whole city was gathered together at the door.  And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

 Luke 4:40   Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.

 Exodus 15:26  saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”

Matthew rightly understood this as a partial fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, which primarily refers to spiritual healing, but also definitely includes physical healing. In this, Matthew showed Jesus as the true Messiah in delivering people from the bondage of sin and the effects of a fallen world.

The deaf could hear. The blind could see. The leper cleansed. The cripple could stand. The paralytic could walk. The sick were cured.  Demons were cast out. All of this at the touch or word from Jesus. Can you imagine how people would be talking to one another. There were be those who were personally healed or those whose family member or friend were, and they would tell others. These others might believe this to be true but their first thought might have been “you’re crazy”, but as the word spread of the healing that Jesus did more and more people would come running to find Him. There was no magic or corporate healing of all at once. Each person had a personal encounter with Jesus. As the word spread of all of this healing faith had to increase too. Faith in what Jesus could do because of what He had done and was doing. 

Physical healing is most welcomed by the afflicted.  They know their affliction, pain, and difficulty. Relief from whatever was their affliction certainly was desired. When word of what Jesus was doing spread these desiring to be healed were seeking Jesus. In some cases it might not have been the afflicted person themselves but rather a friend or family member on their behalf. People desired and then went seeking.

When we desire to know Jesus Christ there is a seeking that quickly follows and is not easily diminished. It is not fully on our own that this desire and seeking spring up. No, most assuredly it is first because God has placed in our hearts a foundational seed of knowledge of Him, sin and righteousness, good and bad, right and wrong, true and false. He sent His one and only Son, full of power, wonder, might, love, grace, and mercy, to redeem all who would believe. Desiring and seeking spring up in our hearts and points us directly to Jesus Christ. It is when we see our sinful state and His holiness and offer of forgiveness that we then humbly surrender, believing, trusting, relying, and cling to Jesus Christ for eternal salvation and life.

31.w. “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 

Matthew 8:5  When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

 “He seeks a cure, but does not prescribe to the Lord how or where he shall work it; in fact, he does not put his request into words, but pleads the case, and lets the sorrow speak.” (Spurgeon)

 Jesus did not hesitate to go to the centurion’s house, and we half wish the centurion would have allowed Him. It was completely against Jewish custom for a Jew to enter a Gentiles’ house; yet it was not against God’s law. The centurion also showed great sensitivity to Jesus, in that he wanted to spare Jesus the awkward challenge of whether or not to enter a Gentile’s house – as well as the time and trouble of travel. He didn’t know Jesus well enough to know that He would not feel awkward in the least; but his consideration of Jesus in this situation was impressive. In his concern for both his servant and for Jesus, this centurion was an others-centered person. The centurion fully understood that Jesus’ healing power was not some sort of magic trick that required the magician’s presence. Instead he knew Jesus had true authority, and could command things to be done and completed outside His immediate presence. The centurion showed great faith in Jesus’ word. He understood that Jesus can heal with His word just as easily as with a touch. The man’s understanding of Jesus’ spiritual authority made Jesus marvel. His simple confidence in the ability of Jesus’ mere word to heal showed a faith that was free of any superstitious reliance on merely external things. This was truly great faith, worthy of praise.

The fact that such faith was present in a Gentile caused Jesus to announce that there would be Gentiles in the kingdom of heaven. They will even sit down to dinner with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! As well, Jesus reminded his Jewish listeners that just as the Gentile’s racial identity was no automatic barrier to the kingdom, their racial identity was no guarantee of the kingdom. Though Jews were sons of the kingdom, they might end up in hell.

A person ought to know their eternal destiny and who it is that has proclaimed it to be so. To humbly repent sin, and follow, obey, trust, and rely on Jesus Christ, we are promised eternal life – heaven. To reject Jesus Christ we are promised eternal Hell.  God’s Word is true. God’s promises are steadfast and either a place of refuge, hope, peace, joy, courage, strength, etc… or they are denied, rejected, turned away from, or given no thought at all. Eternal life – Heaven and eternal death – Hell are real. Some may think the soul/spirit dies upon death. Nothing could be further from the truth. Eternal death in Hell is very much alive in torment and anguish forever and ever. Give thought to What God promises. Narrow is the path that leads to eternal life and broad is the road that leads people straight to Hell.

31.u. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

 

Matthew 7:24  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

 Luke 6:47-49     Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:  he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

 Job 28:28    And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

 Psalms 111:10    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

 Proverbs 10:8    The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

 Psalms 119:130    The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

 Proverbs 14:8    The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving.

 James 3:13     Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

 1 Corinthians 3:11   For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 In Jesus’ illustration of the two builders, each house looked the same from the outside. The real foundation of our life is usually hidden and is only proven in the storm, and we could say that the storms come from both heaven (rain) and earth (floods). 

“The wise and the foolish man were both engaged in precisely the same avocations, and to a considerable extent achieved the same design; both of them undertook to build houses, both of them persevered in building, both of them finished their houses. The likeness between them is very considerable.” (Spurgeon)

Jesus warns us that the foundations of our lives will be shaken at some time or another, both now (in trials) and in the ultimate judgment before God. Jesus may have had in mind an Old Testament passage: When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. Time and the storms of life will prove the strength of one’s foundation, even when it is hidden. We may be surprised when we see who has truly built upon the good foundation and who has built upon the bad foundation. 

 Merely hearing God’s Word isn’t enough to provide a secure foundation. It is necessary that we are also doers of His Word. If we are not, we commit the sin that will surely find us out, the sin of doing nothing and great will be our fall.

Yet no one can read this without seeing that they have not, do not, and will not ever completely do them. Even if we do them in a general sense (in which we should), the revelation of the Kingdom of God in the Sermon on the Mount drives us back again and again as needy sinners upon our Savior. “The Mount of ethical enunciation reveals the need for the Mount of the Cross.” (Morgan)

31.t. “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works”

 

Matthew 7:21  “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. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

 Luke 6:46     “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

 Titus 1:16    They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

 James 1:22    But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

 Romans 12:2    Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

 Malachi 3:17-18    “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.  Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

 2 Timothy 2:19    But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

This warning of Jesus applies to people who speak or say things to Jesus or about Jesus, but don’t really mean it. It isn’t that they believe Jesus is a devil; they simply say the words very superficially. Their mind is elsewhere, but they believe there is value in the bare words and fulfilling some kind of religious duty with no heart, no soul, not spirit – only bare words and passing thoughts. (Guzik)

 This warning of Jesus applies to people who say “Lord, Lord,” and yet their spiritual life has nothing to do with their daily life. They go to church, perhaps fulfill some daily religious duties, yet sin against God and man just as any other might. “There are those that speak like angels, live like devils; that have Jacob’s smooth tongue, but Esau’s rough hands.” (Trapp)

 By saying “in that day” Jesus drew our attention to a coming day of judgment for all men. “What is the chief object of your life? Will you think as much of it “in that day” as you do now? Will you then count yourself wise to have so earnestly pursued it? You fancy that you can defend it now, but will you be able to defend it then, when all things of earth and time will have melted into nothingness?” (Spurgeon)

In the end, there is one basis of salvation; it isn’t mere verbal confession, not “spiritual works,” but knowing Jesus and being known by Him. It is our connection to Him – by the gift of faith that He gives to us – that secures our salvation. Connected to Jesus we are secure; without connection to Him all the miracles and great works prove nothing.

Doing what God wants us to must come from instruction and guidance. Scripture tells us that we learn this precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little. How many of those that hear “Depart from Me” spent little to no time in His Word for their hearts and minds were captured by things of this world?  How many of these people attend church regularly? How many play church and are void of Jesus Christ in their life? 

We do well to spend time in His Word with a singular purpose to live so that all we say, think, and do is for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.

31.r. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you”

 

Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

 Luke 6:31    And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

 Leviticus 19:18  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

 Jeremiah 7:5-6   “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another,  if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, 

 Zechariah 8:16-17   These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;  do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD.”

 Ezekiel 18:7-8   does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man,

 Micah 6:8     He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

 Malachi 3:5   “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

 Romans 13:8-10  Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

 1 Timothy 1:5   The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

None but he whose heart is filled with love to God and all mankind can keep this precept, either in its spirit or letter… It seems as if God had written it upon the hearts of all men, for sayings of this kind may be found among all nations, Jewish, Christian, and Heathen.” (Clarke)

“Oh, that all men acted on it, and there would be no slavery, no war, no swearing, no striking, no lying, no robbing; but all would be justice and love! What a kingdom is this which has such a law!” (Spurgeon)

Love of self, (who we are, what we do, how we think, what we say) is wrong when it places self above all others. Jesus has just spoken about loving your enemies, being careful how you judge others and not-self, giving to the needy, not being anxious about things in this life, seeking God in faith, and now finishing it with “do onto others as you wish them to do onto you”.  We often judge others by their acts and not their intent, and yet we examine ourselves by our intent. When we repent of doing wrong to someone we want them to forgive and forget it. Yet, we feel justified to do the opposite when we have been wronged. Is Jesus Christ honored and glorified by how we treat others and what we think about them?  Am I allowing God’s Word to lead and direct my thoughts, actions, and words toward others? Do I dwell on the negative thoughts about others that first pops into my head or am I able to recognize it as a wrong thought and cast it out and replace it with kindness, brotherly love, gentleness, generosity, and peaceful thoughts? If we would have hearts, minds, and souls that desired in all things to honor and glorify Jesus Christ, it is then we would begin to understand the depth of “do onto others as you wish them to do onto you”.

31.q. “For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek Him”

 

Matthew 7:7  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

 Psalms 10:17   O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

 Jeremiah 33:3  Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

 Psalms 50:15    and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

 Jeremiah 29:12-13    Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

 Psalms 86:5   For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

 Isaiah 55:6-7   “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;  let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

 Psalms 69:32  When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

 Amos 5:4   For thus says the LORD to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live;

 Proverbs 8:17     I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

 Hebrews 11:6   And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Revelation 3:17-18   For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Yet the image of knocking also implies that there is a door that can be opened. “His doors are meant to open: they were made on purpose for entrance, and so the blessed gospel of God is made on purpose for you to enter into life and peace. It would be of no use to knock at a wall, but you may wisely knock at a door, for it is arranged for opening.” (Spurgeon)

One would think knocking on the door implies that there is someone on the other side of it. Why would a person knock on the door if no one was expected to be there to answer it? How many, though, come and knock with no expectation, but rather to see if anyone is home. Their knock is empty, soundless, and void of belief, trust, faith, and reliance on Jesus Christ. Their knock is not with any expectation, by faith, that Jesus Christ is, out of grace, mercy, and love, waiting for their knock. No, the knock by this person is not in humble surrender to Jesus Christ with a humble believing heart that believes God’s Word; “Knock and it will be opened to you”. 

We are invited to a door that leads to the Creator of all there is, All-Powerful, All-knowing Almighty God. Coming to and knocking on this door should be reverent of who is on the other side. How many times do we knock on this door with a heart that is nothing more than an expectant demand? Shouldn’t our knock be humble? Shouldn’t our knock be reverent? Shouldn’t we know we are on holy ground while standing before this door? Are we to stand there with puffed-out chests demanding to be let in and our requests heard? Let it never be so. Let us come before this door with awe, humbleness, belief, trust, and reliance in He who is more than able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. Let us examine our hearts before knocking.  Let our knock be pure of heart, mind, and soul, and then there will be honor and glory to whom all honor and glory belong.

31.p. “O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you”

 

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

 Deuteronomy 10:12-13   “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,  and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

 Hosea 6:6   For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

 Hosea 12:6   “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”

 Zephaniah 2:3    Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

 Proverbs 21:3   To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

 Isaiah 1:16-19    Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,  learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.  “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

 2 Peter 1:5-8   For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Psalms 73:28    But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

The want to do good needs a foundation. It needs to be based on something firm, lasting, and true. “Doing Good” needs definition. Where are we to find this foundation and definition? What are we to base “good” and “doing good” on? This all depends on where you look and where you are seeking answers from. Worldly good has some benefit but this secular good has little to no eternal foundation. If doing good is for the benefit of another this is good but what is the reason behind the act of goodness? Was it because you feel good after doing it? Was it done because of empathy? Was it a combination of both? Was it done so it could be seen by others and thereby you receive some sort of recognition? The foundation upon which good acts are done is more important. If I do good acts of kindness what is the reason and purpose behind the intentional choice to do them? 

The foundation of all good acts should be grounded in the desire to obey and honor and glorify Jesus Christ. It is when this foundation is present in the heart, soul, and mind that the good we do will be for something heavenly and lasting. There is so much to say about being able to discern the leading and being willing led by the Holy Spirit in acts of goodness, but the foundation of all our thoughts, speech, and acts needs to be from a humble and pure heart that believes, trusts, relies, obeys, and follows God’s Word for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.

31.o. “Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life”

 

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

 Proverbs 23:9   Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

 Hebrews 10:29    How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

 Hebrews 10:29    How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

 Acts 13:46-47  And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.  For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

In the previous 1-5 vs Jesus talks of being self-righteously judgmental and not being able to assess one’s self with the same judgmental awareness. Here Jesus is reminding us that we are not to suspend all discernment. It seems as though we should be able to discern those who have hardened their rejection of the good news of Jesus Christ. The person who is Holy Spirit led and is living in all things of their life speaking, doing, and thinking so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified will know when not to speak of the precious things the kingdom of God. This type of discernment comes when our heart, mind, and soul are desiring to show grace, mercy, and love to others so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified. It is not with a judgmental heart or mind. Yet, it is with this same Holy Spirit heart and mind that leads us to discern people who will trample underfoot godly pearls from the Word of God. 

The Gospel was preached and taught by the disciples to the Jews who were hardened in their hearts and spoke evil of Jesus Christ. They would not reason or discuss the prophecies and fulfillment. They denied Christ was the Son of God. They rejected Jesus in person and in His death and in His resurrection. Paul left them and went to the Gentiles. He no longer would cast the pearls of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those hardened against it. 

In our own abilities, we are not able to make discernments that only the Holy Spirit can lead us in. We would do well to seek to continually be filled with the Holy Spirit with a desire to be led in all wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and discernment. In this way, our hearts and minds will not be temped with worldly or self-led judgment. The light of Jesus Christ shines bright in the lives of those who show discernment throughout all aspects of their lives for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. 

I can’t help but think about when I was once one of those who rejected and trampled underfoot things of God. I wonder how many times people were talking with me but the Holy Spirit kept them from speaking about salvation because I was set firmly in my own ways and would have nothing to do with things of God. How many times??? It is hard to tell, it could be 5 times or 10,000 times but this I know, God did not leave me in my hell-bound ways. He brought me to a place in my life where I was ready and He placed people in my life, right at that time, that spoke the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  All I can say is that we need to have discernment when to speak and when not to speak.  When the Holy Spirit leads us to speak we need to speak boldly and when the Holy Spirit leads us to be quiet we need to be quiet.  

31.n. “For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.”

 

Matthew 7:1  “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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.

Luke 6:37   “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

 Romans 2:1-2  Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.  We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.

 1 Corinthians 4:5  Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Jesus warned against passing judgment upon others because when we do so, we will be judged in a similar manner. Judging is wrong in one sense of the word – when in pride (self-worth, self-image, self-honor) you place judgment on another person’s actions or words. In this judgment, you convict, find guilty, and condemn them. You set yourself up as God and give this judgment. What the person may have said or done could have been absolutely wrong, unholy, ungodly, hurtful, and broken laws against society. The problem is not in identifying it as wrong, but rather judging the person with a personal arrogance of self-righteousness in light of what they have done.  It would be like the Pharisee that stood up and prayed, “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men— swindlers, evildoers, adulterers— or even like this tax collector”. 

We need to have discernment in order to make an assessment. In this assessment, we will know and understand people by the fruit in their lives as it stands in the light of God’s Word.  We seem to get confused by the passage “Judge not” and think we are to unconditionally approve of others’ actions thinking we are “judging them” if we disapprove.  Nothing could be further from the truth. We should be able to recognize that which is God-honoring and glorifying and that which is not in all aspects of life. We can discern it is wrong but not judge and condemn the person. When we “judge others” we set ourselves up as God and somehow think our judgment is holy and right and true. Pride, self-worth, and a touch of arrogance all play a part in this “judgment” in any person who does so.  None of us are immune to this. We need to be on guard and not go past the ability to discern into “judging”. Once judgment occurs we then think we are allowed to enact our verdict and sentence on the person. We can treat them harshly and feel justified. We can wish harsh and hurtful things to happen to them. We may even feel justified in personally causing harm to them.  I want to be clear that we have every right to defend and stop physical harm to others or ourselves. We should never cowardly stand by and not intervene to protect someone. This is not passing judgment but discernment and a God-given command. 

It comes down to the spirit in which we examine and judge others. Thinking the worst of them, only seeing their faults, judging their life by their worst moment, judging without considering ourselves in the same light of judgment, are examples of discerning/judging wrongly. When our judgment in regard to others is wrong, it is often not because we judge according to a standard, but because we are hypocritical in the application of that standard – we ignore the standard in our own life. It is common to judge others by one standard and ourselves by another standard – being far more generous to ourselves than others.

When God’s Word is overflowing deep within our heart, soul, and mind and our singular intentional choice in all of life is to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do, and when we are sensitive to the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit’s leading, it is then we will have proper discernment, not judgment.