Matthew 7, Part Two

The strait and narrow (vs. 13-14)—These two verses are perhaps the most frightening, and saddest, in all of the New Testament. Jesus could not have been smiling when He spoke this. But it’s a fair warning. Folks, most people are going to be lost. The way to salvation is “strait” and “narrow.” I like the old King James Version’s word “strait” here; notice it isn’t s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t, as in a straight line, but s-t-r-a-i-t, as in the Bering Strait or Strait of Gibraltar—a narrow, difficult passageway. And “few there be that find it” (v. 14). If you see the multitudes going in one direction, be very sober and cautious. Sin is pleasurable; that’s why so many people do it. Righteousness calls for self-discipline, self-denial, self-control—“conquer thyself.” Plato said the greatest victory a man could have was to conquer himself. And I think Jesus would agree. And most people can’t—won’t—do it. The other road is just too enjoyable, too easy to find.

Beware of false teachers (vs. 15-20)—And mankind has a lot of help traveling down the easy road. There are plenty of false prophets out there who are more than happy to take advantage of people for personal gain—they “serve their own belly” (Romans 16:18). The real danger here is they look like sheep! These false teachers “come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (v. 15). No false teacher is going to come into a church with a sign around his neck saying, “Hey, folks, I’m a false teacher, don’t believe what I say.” They are so dangerous because, unless we are on the lookout for them, and know what to look for, then they will deceive us by their godly appearance and smooth speech (Romans 16:17). “By their fruits you will know them” (v. 20). They will cause division and sow discord among brethren. They will lead people astray and disrupt the good work of the Lord’s church. They will teach false doctrine. The best way to tell if a man is a false teacher or not is whether he teaches false doctrine. If he does, he’s a false teacher, period. Our first desire should be as Aquila and Priscilla did with Apollos: they “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26). But if a man won’t repent, then he is to be “marked” and “avoided” (Romans 16:18). The warnings in the Bible against false teachers are legion. We have no excuse if we succumb.

Surprise on the Day of Judgment (vs. 21-23)—We aren’t told exactly why these people didn’t make it to heaven, except that the Lord never knew them and that they “work[ed] iniquity” (v. 23). From verse 22, they appear to be doing things right: “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” They claimed He was there “Lord,” they did a lot of good works—what’s the problem? Well, again, they worked iniquity—perhaps they did a lot of wickedness mingled with their good deeds; is Jesus aiming at the Pharisees here? Or perhaps the “wonderful works” they did in His name were no longer authorized by Christ. People do not “prophesy” by inspiration today or “cast out devils,” so anybody who claims to do so is leading others astray. Or, it’s very possible that these people had one other major fault: Blessed are the pure in heart….But the warning from Jesus is clear here—there will be those who are going to be surprised on the Day of Judgment. Let’s not be among them.

Building our house on a solid foundation (vs. 24-27)—The bottom line is, we must hear the sayings of Christ and do them (v. 24). That is wisdom. Hearing and not doing is foolishness (v. 26). Hear and do. Sounds simple, and is in principle. But the particulars are not easy as vs. 13-14, along with 5:48, indicate. Christianity is indeed the most rewarding life in the world. But it’s also the most challenging, demanding, and difficult.

So in chapter 7, Jesus concludes this great sermon with several warning of matters that can cause us to stumble: improper judgment, going the easy way, false teachers, false religion, not hearing and doing His word. “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Don’t let these things obstruct you. A wonderful sermon and worthy of constant study.