Audio Download

Matthew 7:1–29 Narrow is the Way Which Leads to Life

[Study Aired April 21, 2025]

Introduction

Today’s study concludes Jesus’ sermon on the mount. The focus of today’s study is on the Lord’s teaching on judging others, asking, seeking and being given. The study also touches on the narrow way which leads to life, the illustration of the tree and its fruits, and building our house on the rock.  

We shall also look at the Lord’s warning regarding focusing on good works instead of producing the fruits of the spirit. Finally, the study concludes with the impression that Jesus’ teaching had upon His hearers. 

Judging Others

Mat 7:1  Judge not, that ye be not judged. 
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 

Here in these verses, Jesus is showing us how we must conduct ourselves in reference to the shortcoming of others. This is to show us that the law of the spirit of life which applies to the Lord’s elect is different from the law of Moses which is judgmental in its approach. The Scribes and the Pharisees in Jesus’ days were very critical of those who fail to obey the law of Moses, to the extent of not even fraternizing with people perceived to be sinners. For example, when Jesus was with some tax collectors eating and drinking, He was accused of eating with publicans and sinners.

Mat 9:10  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 
Mat 9:11  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 
Mat 9:12  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 
Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

The law of the spirit of life which sets us free from the law of sin and death requires that we focus on our own shortcomings instead of looking at the faults of others. Judging others is a sign that we are walking in the flesh as we mind the things of the flesh, that is, the failings of others, instead of focusing on how we can walk in the spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. 

Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.   

In verse 22, we are told that we shall be judged by the standard we use in judging others. This is part of the general principle of reaping what we sow. If we are very judgmental in our dealing with others, we shall suffer a similar fate as others become judgmental of our actions. 

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  

Mat 7:3  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 
Mat 7:4  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 
Mat 7:5  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. 

The reason we see fault in other people is because we ourselves have fault. The more sinful one is, the more he is able to see sin in others. Due to sin, human nature is especially interested in sin. 

Jud 1:16  These people complain, find fault, follow their own desires, say arrogant things, and flatter people in order to take advantage of them. (GW)

A classic example is the scribes and the pharisees, who wanted to show to the public that Jesus is a sinner because he is breaking the law of Moses. 

Luk 6:6  And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. 
Luk 6:7  And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

Luk 5:21  And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?  

This is the same with our brothers and sisters in Babylon or the physical churches of this world, who find it offensive to hear that the Lord has a few chosen people here on earth. They therefore set themselves to find fault in the Lord’s elect. This is because the beam in their own eyes induces them to see the mote in the eyes of the elect (vs 4). 

On the contrary, the holier one is, the less he finds fault in others. As we mature in Christ, we do not dwell on the fault of others. This is because we realize that it is by the grace of the Lord that we have come this far in Christ, and therefore we know that the Lord will also carry our brothers and sisters along to maturity by this same grace. A person who is mature focuses on the good things in others and encourages them to grow in Christ. This does not mean that if we see a brother or a sister’s fault, we are not to talk about it. In this case, we are to go to the one in private and help him or her to overcome, if the person is willing.

In verse 5, we are being told that because of the beam in our own eyes, we cannot cast out the mote in our brother’s eyes. That is to say that we cannot help our brother if we do not realize our own failings. It is through our failings that we mature or become spiritual. In Galatians 6:1, Paul was telling those who are spiritual to help those who are weak. It is those who are spiritual who can restore others.

Gal 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 

That which is holy is the truth of the word of the Lord. The dogs represent evil workers or the concision. We know that the concision was those Judaizers who insisted on circumcision for Christian new converts. In other words, the circumcision represents those who are practicing the law of Moses and do not know about the law of the spirit of life brought by the Lord Jesus. As we are aware, our brothers and sisters in Babylon practice the law of Moses and therefore represent the circumcision or the dogs. 

Php 3:2  Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

The pearls also represent the truth of the word of the Lord. The swine symbolize our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are possessed by false doctrines and are being choked by their own flesh. 

Mar 5:12  And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
Mar 5:13  And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Here the Lord is telling us that we cannot make our brothers and sisters understand the truth of the word of the Lord. Their reaction to the truth is to trample them under their feet. That is to say, they regard the truth as something worthless.  Most of us have experienced this when, in our zeal, we tried to tell our brothers and sisters about the truth we have received when Christ started to open our eyes of understanding. Unfortunately, they became hostile to us. 

Ask, and It Will Be Given

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

The Lord is showing us the process of receiving answers to prayers. It starts with us asking, which is a desire without action. We know that children have various desires which are not realistic, and therefore as fathers, we do not give to them everything they ask but what we think is necessary for them to help in their growth. The Lord therefore gives us what we need according to His purpose and not what we ask. As we mature, our asking falls in line with the Lord’s desire for us. A typical example of this is what happened to the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness. Their desire was not in tune with that of the Lord and were therefore disciplined by the Lord. 

Psa 78:29  So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; 
Psa 78:30  They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, 
Psa 78:31  The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. 
Psa 78:32  For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. 
Psa 78:33  Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble. 
Psa 78:34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. 

Our hearts need to be prepared by the Lord so that our desires are in tune with His purpose for our lives. 

Psa 10:17  LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

It is when our hearts are prepared that we will call and He will answer and show us great and mighty things we have not even thought to ask. In other words, the Lord will go beyond what we ask.

Jer 33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The next step after asking is seeking. Seeking involves taking action, however, in this case, we have not zeroed in on what we are looking for. Seeking is therefore not a one-time action, but a continuous process with the view of finding what we are looking for. For example, we may ask for a particular thing, but the Lord has something else in store for us. We follow up our asking with persistence (seeking) as we continue to pray, not knowing when and how the Lord will answer our prayers. The parable of the persistent widow shows us how to seek. 

Luk 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luk 18:2  Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 
Luk 18:3  And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 
Luk 18:4  And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 
Luk 18:5  Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 
Luk 18:6  And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 
Luk 18:7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 
Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

In verse 8, the Lord is telling us that when we ask, we shall receive, and when we seek, we shall find. Finding means that we have come to know what exactly the Lord has in store for us. In other words, we have arrived at the gate, and therefore we have to start knocking for the door to be opened. There are several examples in the word of the Lord where the Lord’s elect came at the gate and started knocking. Let’s look at the case of Simeon. He was looking (knocking at the gate) for the consolation of Israel. The door was finally opened to him when Jesus was presented in the temple by His parents. When the door was opened, he said that it was time for him to die because he has seen the salvation of the Lord.   

Luk 2:25  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 
Luk 2:26  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 
Luk 2:27  And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 
Luk 2:28  Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 
Luk 2:29  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 
Luk 2:30  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 
Luk 2:31  Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luk 2:32  A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 
Luk 2:33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 

In the case of Paul, he was knocking on the door for an answer to his prayer regarding an issue, and when the door was finally opened to him, he realized that God has given him sufficient grace to deal with the issue at hand and therefore going forward, he realized that when he was weak, that was when the strength of the Lord overshadows him to become strong. This implies that in our weakness, we are made strong by the Lord. 

2Co 12:8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 
2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Mat 7:9  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 
Mat 7:10  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 
Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 

In these verses, the Lord is giving us the reason why He will answer our prayers. It is because He is our father in heaven. He cited two cases of our earthly fathers who will not give us what will destroy us when we ask. This is all to show us that He is different from our earthly fathers who even give us good things. How much more our Father in Heaven? 

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
Php 4:20  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

The Narrow Way

Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The way to treat men is governed by how we want men to treat us. The Lord will treat us according to the way we treat others. If we are able to learn this principle in our walk with the Lord, it will save us a lot of suffering. For example, Jacob was very cunning and deceitful, culminating in taking Esau’s birthright. When he went to be with Laban, he married Leah by deception even though the love of his life was Rachel. His father-in-law, Leban, changed Jacob’s wages ten times, when he was working for him.

Gen 31:6  And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. 
Gen 31:7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. 

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: 
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  

The word “strait” means narrow. What this implies is that the way of salvation is not given to many, but only a few who are favored to enter through the narrow gate. When we compare scripture with scripture, we realize that those who are destined to pass through the narrow gate are chosen before the foundation of the earth. 

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 
Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

Those who are privileged to enter through the narrow gate are those who are being shown mercy in this age. Later, the mercy we have received will be shown to the whole of the human race. 

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

The story of Gideon gives us insight into how the Lord is operating in this age. That is, He is preparing few people in this age to be the source of salvation to the whole of the human race, just as Gideon used just three hundred men to defeat the Midianites, liberating the people of Israel from bondage to the flesh. It is insightful to note that the number three hundred (300 =3x10x10) consist of 3 and two tens. What this implies is that those who are entering the narrow gate are those who are going through spiritual maturity through the Lord’s judgment in this age. These are the witnesses (significances of the number 2) whose sins have reached the heavens and therefore are being judged.   

Jdg 7:2  And the LORD said unto Gideon, the people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. 

Jdg 7:7  And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. 

A Tree and Its Fruit

Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 
Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 
Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 
Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 
Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 
Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

Here the Lord is showing us how we can identify false prophets – by their fruits. Their fruits is their works of the flesh which shows itself in the following:

Gal 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 
Gal 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 

For example, this is what Peter and Jude said about these false prophets:

2Pe 2:10  But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:11  Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 
2Pe 2:12  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2Pe 2:13  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 
2Pe 2:14  Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 
2Pe 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Jud 1:16  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

On the other hand, a good tree is also recognized by its good fruits. In other words, those who are called and chosen are identified by their fruits of the spirit.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 
Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

In verse 19, we are told that every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. When we started our walk with Christ, we were not producing good fruit, and the Lord saw fit to cut us down or start the process of destroying our old man or flesh as we go through His judgment. It is through this judgment that we learn righteousness or produce the fruits of the spirit. 

I Never Knew You

Mat 7:21  Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 
Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, 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? 
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Verses 21 to 23 are a warning to show us that if our focus is on good works, we shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. When we were in Babylon, our focus was on good works as mentioned in verse 2 – prophesying in the Lord’s name, casting out devils in Jesus’ name, carrying out many wonderful works of charity, etc. What the Lord requires is for His children to walk in the spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. This is the overcoming life which is attained through the Lord’s judgment. It is the overcomers who shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, many people who do not know the Lord do many wonderful works of charity, but yet hate the doctrines of Christ. Such people shall be disappointed. 

The verses above therefore reveal to us the two categories of the Lord’s children as shown in the parable of the prodigal son. These two children are the elder one who stayed with his father and was doing good works and the younger one who wasted his father’s inheritance in unconstrained living. In the final analysis, it was the younger one who was shown mercy as he realized that he was a sinner and therefore did not deserve to be the father’s son. On the other hand, the elder son thought that it was his right for his father to throw a party for him because of his works. The elder son represents our brothers and sisters in the church system of this world, and the younger son signifies the Lord’s elect.  

Luk 15:11  And he said, A certain man had two sons: 
Luk 15:12  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 
Luk 15:13  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Luk 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 
Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 
Luk 15:23  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 
Luk 15:24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 
Luk 15:25  Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 
Luk 15:26  And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 
Luk 15:27  And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 
Luk 15:28  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 
Luk 15:29  And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 
Luk 15:30  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 
Luk 15:31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 
Luk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. 

Build Your House on the Rock

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 
Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 
Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 
Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 

The use of “therefore” in verse 24, means that what is being said in these verses follows from the previous verses which warn us about the impossibility of entering the kingdom of heaven with our works. What the Lord is telling us in these verses is that obedience to the Lord’s words is what qualifies us to be established in Him (the rock), as our works are likened to a house built on the rock. Our works here are the fruits of the spirit which are able to stand the onslaught of the devil. Conversely, if we do not live by His words, then our works are likened to building a house on sand which is easily destroyed by rain, floods and winds signifying the onslaught of the devil.  

The Authority of Jesus

Mat 7:28  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 
Mat 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 

As the Lord is here on earth, so are we. We, being His elect, have been given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and therefore we are to teach as those who have authority, not as the false apostles in Babylon. 

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 

May the Lord continue to uphold us in our walk in Him so that we continue to build our house on the rock. Amen!!