Let me begin by giving you a bit of my religious background. I grew up in a Roman Catholic home and attended the Catholic church as a youth and considered myself a Catholic until my early twenties even though I hardly ever attended church in my late teens and early twenties. I met my wife in my early twenties and she introduced me to Protestantism and the United Church of Christ. We attended occasionally but eventually moved on to the Lutheran church where we attended regularly while my children were both very small. When my children were still young, neighbors invited us to their evangelical church. We stayed there until the kids were in middle school when we relocated to a different evangelical church with a better youth program. My time in Seminary spanned my tenure at these last two evangelical churches. During my ten years in Seminary, I was exposed to the Anglican and Pentecostal traditions as well. So what’s my point in telling you all this? Well, I’d like to make it clear that my teaching on the following subject takes into consideration various traditions and practices. Also, I haven’t been “wounded” by any of them so I have no ax to grind. Obviously, all of these traditions believe they are being faithful to Jesus’ teachings as revealed in Scripture. So which one do I think is being faithful in their teachings and practices? Keep reading and I’ll see if I can answer that question at the end.
One of the purposes of this blog is to perhaps inspire people to think critically about what they believe and what others say about their own faith. I have seen extremes in the various traditions I have experienced. Traditions that emphasize religious practices such as church attendance, communion, private and public confessions and baptism as instruments of God’s grace and traditions that emphasize God’s grace to the virtual exclusion of everything else. Many in the first group are “Boot strap” Christians. They pick themselves up by their proverbial boot straps and hide behind rituals in the hope that God will love and accept them. Many in the second group are “Rabbit’s foot” Christians. They generally reject formal religious practices and hide behind the “I love Jesus” banner using it like a lucky rabbit’s foot on a key chain thinking that they can carry it around for insurance and then waive that banner in your face when you question the way they live their lives. “Boot strap” Christians pass judgment on “Rabbit’s foot” Christians claiming that they trample God’s sacrifice for their salvation because their lives don’t reflect what they say they believe. “Rabbit’s foot” Christians pass judgment on “Boot strap” Christians saying that they reject God’s sacrifice because they continue to try and earn God’s favor by their own efforts. They are both right and they are both wrong. The answer is not as simple as one might think. A video poem by Spoken Word titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” went viral on my Facebook recently and demonstrates the tension between the two groups. I believe this particular poem is written by someone representing the “Rabbit’s foot” group as he attempts to throw those in the “Boot strap” group under the bus. It is very creative and nicely done but terribly misleading and woefully inaccurate. The purpose of this writing is not to provide a theological critique of the poem but to point out that we are in severe danger of bringing judgment upon ourselves when we begin to cast stones at those who consider themselves to be our brothers and sisters in Christ. And to make matters worse, we bring additional judgment upon ourselves when we use the Scriptures to mislead others either willfully or because of our ignorance. Therefore, I’d like to lead you through the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-24 specifically and Matthew 7 more generally.
Matthew 7
1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
7Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
13Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
At first glance, it appears there are a number of teachings contained in this particular text. While that would be an accurate observation, I believe we can find a logical progression in Jesus’ teaching in this particular text. Here’s what I’d like to do: I’m going to traverse this text in reverse and see how the beginning of the chapter provides the answer to the question we asked at the beginning of this lesson.
Vv. 28-29 – These verses are the umbrella for all of Jesus’ teachings. He has supreme authority over our lives and it doesn’t really matter if we like it or think it’s fair.
Vv. 24-27 – Jesus often told stories to drive his point deep into the lives and hearts of those who would listen to him. His point in this particular story is that if we build our lives on the truths of his teachings, both in our words and in our deeds, then we will be able to withstand the storms that will inevitably smash into our lives. Pain, disappointment, suffering, oppression , sickness and even death won’t be able to separate us from Jesus’ promises for our lives.
Vv. 21-23 – I believe this is the most difficult part of the chapter. Craig Keener writes, “Churchgoers today are no more automatically saved than those who ate with Jesus in the past (as is often noted, attending a church no more makes one a Christian than entering a garage makes on a car). Not those who claim to “know” Jesus but only those who do the Father’s will have any claim on Jesus (cf. Matt. 12:50).”[1] Professor Craig Blomberg writes that these verses, “Enumerate the ways in which individuals masquerade as Christians. They may verbally affirm that Jesus is their Master, perhaps with great joy and enthusiasm, but such claims must issue in lives of obedience (an important qualification of Rom. 10:10-13). Others perform exorcisms and some work various kinds of miracles…But these external demonstrations prove nothing. The question is whether one’s heart has been cleansed inwardly or whether apparent acts of ministry still serve only self, rapaciously using others for one’s own ends (cf. Acts 20:29-30).”[2] Donald Hagner sums it up nicely when he writes, “Mere lip service to the lordship of Jesus is of no consequence. What is important is “doing” the Father’s will.”[3]
Vv. 15-20 – These verses warn us of the dangers of “false prophets” that we will inevitable encounter in our lives. “Prophets” are often mistakenly thought to be those who tell us what is going to happen at some point in the future. While that is certainly one of the ways that God uses prophets, a prophet is really anyone who communicates God’s revelation or message to people. Prophets can be ordained ministers, everyday laypersons or a musical artist like Spoken Word conveying a message through a poem. Jesus tells us that we can know the authenticity of prophets by the “fruit” in their lives. In fact, this “fruit” is the sign, not only of prophets, but of all true believers. Consequently it is important that we be able to recognize that “fruit” and whether it is good “fruit” or bad “fruit.” Of course, the “fruit” that Jesus is referencing is character qualities. So what are these qualities and how do we acquire them? Well they are, in fact, the fruits of the Holy Spirit which grow and develop in believers as they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit when they accept Jesus Christ as their savior (These “fruits” can be nurtured but it is not the intention of this particular writing to enumerate those disciplines). In his letter to the church in Galatia, Paul tells us the difference between bad fruit (sinful nature) and the fruit of the Spirit (good fruit):
Galatians 5:19-23
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Keep in mind that Paul is writing this letter to Christians. They have spoken the words of salvation but Paul is reminding them that the proof of the authenticity of those words are revealed in the actions and character of their lives.
Vv. 13-14 – If these words don’t frighten you then you had best go back and read them again very carefully. Think about the “Boot strap” Christians and the “Rabbit’s foot” Christians. One has a list that they can follow and show others to follow and the other has the “I love Jesus” banner that everyone can rally behind. Both extremes seem very simple—perhaps because they attempt to enter through the “wide gate”—the gate that leads to destruction. What if doing the will of the Father leads to the narrow gate? What if the Father’s will is for us, “To believe in the one he [God] has sent.” (John 6:29) and to “Be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I [God] am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:16) I don’t know about you, but suddenly that gate is quite narrow indeed! How can we possibly enter through such a narrow gate? How will we find our way?
Vv. 7-12 – Ask! Seek! Knock! That’s how we will find our way through the narrow gate. Ask Jesus to show us the way to live a holy life. Search your life and be honest with yourself. “Boot strap” Christians need to burn their lists and ask Jesus to drive the free gift of salvation deep into their hearts so they can truly believe in the one he has sent. “Rabbit’s foot” Christians need to burn their “I love Jesus” banner and ask Jesus to transform them from the inside so that their lives can reflect the truth of the love they profess by leading lives marked by holiness. Then you will find the narrow gate and when you knock, Jesus will open the gate and welcome you in.
V. 6 – This verse seems disconnected from the immediate context but Matthew may have had in mind that this matter is intended for those who are serious about their faith and that not everyone will appreciate its gravity and may, in fact, attack you for it.
Vv. 1-5 – Although these verses are at the beginning, I think they serve to tie a nice bow on this lesson. Here’s the point: Hopefully I have demonstrated that “Boot strap” Christians and “Rabbit’s foot” Christians may not be on the path leading to the narrow gate. In fact, the narrow gate is so difficult that only a “few” will enter through it. Therefore, it would be prudent for all of us to focus all our attention on whether or not we are on the path that leads to the narrow gate instead of expending our energy judging others who profess to be Christians as to whether they are on the wrong path? Here’s what I think: Believe in the one God sent and be holy just as God is holy and I have no doubt that others will gladly follow you to and through the narrow gate. You will attract far more people to hear your message with the beauty of your life than you ever will by lobbing verbal bombs at them. Furthermore, never, ever, presume that you are able to judge people in the same way Jesus was and is able to judge people (unless, of course, you can walk on water and raise the dead)!
Conclusion
[1] Craig S. Keener, Matthew—The IVP New Testament Commentary Series, (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity Press, 1997), p. 166.
[2] Craig L. Bomberg, Matthew—The New American Commentary, (Nashville, TN, Broadman Press, 1992), pp. 132-133.
[3] Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 1-13—Word Biblical Commentary, (Dallas, TX, Word Books, 1993), p. 187.
No comments:
Post a Comment