Ruho - Malankara Syriac Orthodox Youth Bible Study/Newsletter

Chapter 7 is the final part of the Sermon on the Mount. Let us refresh our memories about the various steps leading to culmination of this set of teachings. It is important to do this as these teachings give you the crux of our Christian faith, obedience and living in grace. The first step was the 8 beatitudes which constitute the character of the Christian who enjoys the blessings of God (Mat. 5: 1-16). The next step was the explanation of the Christian’s relationship to God’s Law in contrast to the superficial and ritualistic treatment of the same by the Pharisees. (Mat 5: 17-48). The third step was about religious observances like fasting to bring us closer to God, and the unnecessary and useless pursuance of material things (Mat.6). All these steps have lead to this final one which is about interpersonal relationships among men and the personal relationship of the Christian to God. In God the Christian finds shelter and care, along with the completion of his hopes and eternal life.

Mat.7:1-12 gives us the guideline in interpersonal relationship and a pattern of prayers to God of total surrender, praise and requests for forgiveness and direction of our lives. The first guideline in Mat.7:1-5 says do not judge or you will be judged – “for in the same way you judge others you will be judged and with the measure you use it will be measured to you”. If you take this verse apart the first portion says do not judge. There is a dichotomy here, for we are unconsciously judging every thing. When we say we should follow a path because it is good, or do not eat a particular thing because it is bad, we are judging because we know what is right and what is wrong. When our parents say do not take drugs or follow the example of drinking alcohol, they are judging the outcome and actions of others. In life, we are constantly making judgments. Is this what Jesus meant when He said do not judge?

When Christ said judge not he probably meant do not condemn, do not be self righteous and hyper critical of others. Do not look for blemishes in others with out appreciating the good in them. Do not criticize without understanding situations in which certain actions were taken or, the struggles the person has gone through. To express opinions about people we have no direct dealings with, and so can not evaluate correctly the situation, is wrong. Does it not often happen that when we do not like someone he can never do anything right? To judge condemning people is actually trying to abrogate God’s right of final judgment. Sometimes we are so self righteous in our judgment that we forget our own need for God’s grace and mercy.

Luke 8:9-14, continues to illustrate the admonition not to judge. The Pharisee, who followed all the rituals but misinterpreted the spirit of the law, was materialistic with a double vision, trying to serve God and receive praise from people. He could not see his own short comings, yet he despised others. In the parable the Pharisee said

“God I thank you, I am not like other men ... or even like the tax collector”. The tax collector mentioned was praying at a distance from the Pharisee and his prayer was ‘God, have mercy on me a sinner’. Jesus said that the tax collector was right before God and not the Pharisee.

With each admonition Christ also gives reasons why there will be a fall out if his teaching is not followed. Here (Mat.7: 2) Christ warns “in the same way you judge, you will be judged” meaning that when you judge others in an unforgiving, critical way, they will turn around and judge you the same way. Here Christ is not referring to God, because God can not judge falsely.

The other consequence of judging others self righteously is that it blinds us to our own faults. We presume that there is nothing wrong in our spiritual life and point out minute inconsistencies in others. This is because we lack in love for our fellow beings.

Does all this mean that we should never express an opinion, or be easy, spine less or tolerant of things that are not right? Does it mean that we should be like people who never make an effort to put things right in case they rock the boat or prefer superficial peace and unity? I realize we live in an age that hates discipline, doctrine and theology, and often Christ himself. We seem to take great pride in compromise, “tolerance” and an attitude of appeasement in the realm of theology. The scriptures, however, do not condone this attitude of compromise or attempts at trying to discuss between right and wrong in the teachings of Christ. In fact Paul in Gal. 1:8 states “but even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned”. In 2John 1:9-10 he confirms the same sentiment. I know you are itching to ask the question that since every one will not accept Christ, then what should this command mean? Well remember what was said earlier- condemn not, let God be the judge.

Following the command on judging, Jesus tells his disciples not to give dogs what is sacred or throw one’s pearls before pigs. We can wonder who is implied by dogs and pigs. I think these are people who do not appreciate God and his gifts. We are asked not to surrender holy things and spiritual responsibility to people who do not totally believe in them. In 2 Peter 2:22, Peter talks about people who have known Christ as Lord and Savior, and then turned their backs on him like dogs. These pretend to make a profession of religion but do not want to follow the teachings of Christ. He also uses the example of people who oppose holy things, but come in to holy places. In the early church these people were not allowed to receive the sacraments.

Jews rejected the teaching of Christ as presented by Paul and Barnabas, and Paul’s statement to them was “since you reject it and do not consider yourself worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the gentiles”. This illustrates what Christ has said; do not force the precious teachings of the Lord on those who don’t want them. I am sure; however, that prayer and living your own life as an example of Christian faith will surely win those people over to God.

Prayer is a theme that runs through the scriptures and is so much a part of Christian life that Jesus again in verses 7 to 11 emphasizes it. Prayer is important in the worship of God, and it is also a recognition that a number of commandments given are difficult to perform with out His help. I feel that God’s help is essential to follow the teaching of perfect love for others, as commanded in Matt. 7:12 and to know the difference between right and wrong and yet keep from judging (condemning) others.

While praying Christ emphasizes that when we ask God for fulfillment of our spiritual need “it will be given to you”, seek “and you will find “, knock “and the door will be open to you”. In James 1:5-8 he says that if you do not have, it is because that you do not ask, and if you lack wisdom, you should ask God for help. Christ says that we should persist in asking in prayer and not give up easily. Perseverance shows the depth and extent of our true faith and desire. We ask very casually, only, when we do not have that burning desire for the object of our request.

Seeking suggests a step further than asking and God promises that those who truly seek will find. Seeking also has other implications. There are people who seek diligently but refuse to recognize Christ when they see him.

Knocking suggests perseverance and effort beyond asking and seeking. In Revelations, the rules are reversed. Rev. 3: 20 says it is Christ who stands at the door of your heart, knocking. He will enter if you will let Him in.

Mat.7:9-11 – Matthew compares God’s answer to our prayers to that of our parents giving good gifts to their children at their request. However God’s gifts are most satisfying and lasting.

Chapter 7:12 – Christ says “….so in every thing, do to others what you would have them do to you. This sums up the Law and the prophets”. The verse by itself looks out of context but when you try to connect up all that has been said it becomes clearer. Remember that you have to get rid of the plank in your eye to see clearly enough to get rid of the speck in your brother’s eyes. You have to know how to treat others and understand them so you can give them what they need and not allow it to be like “….. throwing pearls before swine.” We can fulfill these commands of God only when we surrender ourselves to Him and pray to Him for guidance in trying to live the life he wants us to lead. He recognizes our need and will pour the Holy Spirit into our hearts and this gift will surely help us to love others as commanded. The two commandments of God that Jesus considered to be the most important ones, love God with all your hearts and the second, love thy neighbor as thyself will then become easier to follow. The rest of the Ten Commandments the Law and the teaching of the prophets revolve around these two commands to love God and each other.

Matt. 7:13-14 warns us about choosing the comfortable and easy way. Recently at my yoga class, I met a lady who was brought up as a Christian yet she was so proud of the fact that she does not read the Bible or encourage her children to do so. Her reason was that they needed to experience various religious and spiritual teachings and then decide for themselves which one to follow if at all. It should not surprise us that though people have read or heard about the one God who gave His only son “in order that all who believe in Him should not perish” the majority still reject this gift. Why? It is because the way of God, the way of repentance and faith is narrow and hard. Most people choose the broad and easy way. Another reason is when we see large numbers of people going one way and thinking uniformly, they feel they cannot be wrong even if the path they take will lead them to a life of emptiness, stress, sorrow, hollowness and destruction. It is amazing how people say they are searching for a true spiritual life and then take pride in saying that they do not believe in Christ or that Christ is the son of God or in all His teachings only some of them.. But then again history has shown that through the ages only a few have chosen and stayed faithful to God. Isaiah in Chapter 53:6 says “we all, like sheep have gone astray, each of us have turned in his own way”.

I feel that part of the reason for the rejection of the Christian faith is the message from false prophets who distort the truth for their own purposes or glorification. Jeremiah 14:14-16 speaks about these false prophets, the people who listen to them, following them, and the punishment that God will put them through. Reading these verses will surely make you very careful of the type of leader you will choose to follow. Jesus calls these prophets wolves in sheep’s clothing because they will not ‘look or act’ false but will appear to be pious and very peace loving. In fact the Bible says that Lucifer or Satan is beautiful and can speak well. Then how will you be able to differentiate the true shepherd from the false? Well, to mix metaphors in Matt.7:16-20 says it is by the fruit they ‘produce’. “A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit”. These bad trees then will be burnt. 1Timothy 6:3-5 and in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 says almost the same thing. The true prophet produces fruit or preaches the true faith. This fruit is from Christ and can not be duplicated. It is holy and eternal.

To remind you again, Christ always follows His teachings with cautionary advice. In verses 21-23, Christ warns us of using mere hollow words of faith without the deeds to prove it. This was true then and true today. How often have you seen people looking somber, quoting Bible verses, expressing orthodox theology and even muttering some words and have equated these with true faith ? James 2:20 says faith without deeds is dead and Jesus says just repeating God’s name and paying lip service is not enough to enter the kingdom of God but only “he who does the will of my father in heaven”. In John 5:24, it says that to enter the kingdom of God is like passing from death into life. To quote the verse “whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life and will not be condemned, he has crossed over from death to life.” True faith requires a commitment to follow God’s command to achieve salvation. If you would like to read more I suggest Ephesians Chapter 2.

Just good deeds as mentioned in Chapter 7:22-23 is not enough either. Christ was talking about people healing in His name or even casting out demons, without any commitment to follow God’s words. Attending church regularly, being a church leader or speaking at public meetings about Christianity without commitment and obedience to God is also useless. It is always possible to appear very religious while inwardly there is emptiness and faithlessness. Jesus will know the people who are truly committed to Him. In Chapter 7:23 in spite of good works from uncommitted people, Christ will tell them “I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers”.

Finally in verses 24 to 27, Christ tells the story of the men who built their homes on the rock or on sand. I had always assumed that this story illustrated the need for Christ to be the foundation of our lives. Sometime ago I heard another explanation that I found fascinating and very thought provoking. The speaker suggested that the man who built his house on the sand is the equivalent of the person who hears and knows the doctrine and God’s condition for salvation but does not pay any attention to it. He does not have a relationship with Christ. He does not care about God’s call to repent of his sins but thinks he has a good life in a worldly sense. He probably attends church regularly, hears God’s words and even preaches and talks about it himself. But it is all show with no strong foundation, based on God. When this life built on knowledge of the word but no faith or commitment is buffeted with life’s problems it will be swept away as it is not anchored in God. We see lots of examples of this kind of life today. People who talk the talk and think that doing so is walking the walk end up collapsing under life’s pressures.

The wise man that set his life on a personal relationship, obedience and commitment to God stays secure to eternity. To emphasize the point made by the story, the foolish man professed his faith without commitment or obedience to God and when the problems in life became severe he collapsed. On the other hand, the wise man developed a real relationship of obedience and faith in God with strong commitment. Here external pressures only increased his sense of security in God.

Throughout the first three parts of the Sermon on the Mount I asked questions which I hope made you think about Christ’s teachings. In the final part let me remind you of Christ’s golden rule of not judging. Christ tells you do not judge or condemn because it is God’s prerogative. If you do condemn the result could be that you too will suffer judgment from others and it can also blind you to your own faults.

When Christ commands you to pray there are three aspects to this. Ask, seek and knock. These are progressive persistence in prayer, faith and obedience. As I mentioned, in Revelation John says that Christ stands at the door of our hearts knocking. If you open the door for Him, the Holy Spirit will come in and dwell within you. The question to ask ourselves would be ...have we felt the need and desire for this gift of the Holy Spirit and have we prayed for Christ to enter our hearts and direct our lives? Though you have felt Him close you may not have in faith and commitment invited Him in. If you have not, then you have to prove your faith in the promise of Christ by asking and receiving the Holy Spirit. Once you have received the love from the Comforter, in turn you will love others and will feel the desire for others to also possess the eternal treasure; you will live your life according to God’s direction. This will take you along the path to fulfill God’s purpose for you. Always remember the warning of the counterfeit or false teachings. Only those who obey the will of God as revealed by Him will receive salvation. The majority are not always right. Remember that the Holy fruit comes only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and it can not be counterfeited. Talk the talk but you have to walk the walk as well and again it takes a deliberate commitment to God. Life built on the knowledge of the Bible without commitment is swept away in life’s adversity but a life built on a personal relationship with God stays strong. The final question to you is what kind of a foundation will you build your life on? Knowledge with no commitment or knowledge with commitment to God meaning you will walk the walk as well. I hope and pray that it will not be a life committed to only worldly matters or just floating through life with no direction only superficial fulfillment of immediate desires. Learn the word of God and in knowledge, faith and obedience surrender yourself completely to Him.

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