Matthew 7:12-29

Verses 13-14. In the second place, our Lord gives us a general caution against the way of the many in religion. It is not enough to think as others think, and do as others do. It must not satisfy us to follow the fashion, and swim with the stream of those among whom we live. He tells us that the way that leads to everlasting life is "narrow," and "few" travel in it. He tells us that the way that leads to everlasting destruction is "broad," and full of travelers. "Many are those who enter in by it."

These are fearful truths! They ought to raise great searchings of heart in the minds of all who hear them. "Which way am I going? By what road am I traveling?" In one or other of the two ways here described, every one of us may be found. May God give us an honest, self-inquiring spirit, and show us what we are!

We may well tremble and be afraid, if our religion is that of the multitude. If we can say no more than this, that "we go where others go, and worship where others worship, and hope we shall do as well as others at last," we are literally pronouncing our own condemnation. What is this but being in the "broad way?" What is this but being in the road whose end is "destruction?" Our religion at present is not saving religion.

We have no reason to be discouraged and cast down, if the religion we profess is not popular, and few agree with us. We must remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in this passage: "The gate is narrow." Repentance, and faith in Christ, and holiness of life, have never been fashionable. The true flock of Christ has always been small. It must not move us to find that we are reckoned singular, and peculiar, and bigoted, and narrow-minded. This is "the narrow way." Surely it is better to enter into life eternal with a few, than to go to "destruction" with a great company.

Verses 15-20. In the last place, the Lord Jesus gives us a general warning against false teachers in the church. We are to "beware of false prophets." The connection between this passage and the preceding one is striking. Would we keep clear of this "broad way?" Then we must beware of false prophets. They will arise. They began in the days of the apostles. Even then, the seeds of error were sown. They have appeared continually ever since. We must be prepared for them, and be on our guard.

This is a warning which is much needed. There are thousands who seem ready to believe anything in religion—if they hear it from an ordained minister. They forget that clergymen may err as much as laymen. They are not infallible. Their teaching must be weighed in the balance of Holy Scripture. They are to be followed and believed—only so long as their doctrine agrees with the Bible, but not a minute longer. We are to test them "by their fruits." Sound doctrine and holy living are the marks of true prophets. Let us remember this. Our minister's mistakes will not excuse our own. "If the blind lead the blind—then both will fall into the ditch."

What is the best safe-guard against false teaching? Beyond all doubt, the regular study of the word of God, with prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. The Bible was given to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105.) The man who reads it aright, will never be allowed greatly to err. It is neglect of the Bible, which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear. They would have us believe that "they are not learned, and do not pretend to have decided opinions." The plain truth is that they are lazy and idle about reading the Bible, and do not like the trouble of thinking for themselves. Nothing supplies false prophets with followers—so much as spiritual sloth under a cloak of humility.

May we all bear in mind our Lord's warning! The world, the devil, and the flesh—are not the only dangers in the way of the Christian. There remains another yet, and that is the "false prophet"—the wolf in sheep's clothing. Happy is he who prays over his Bible, and knows the difference between truth and error in religion! There is a difference, and we are meant to know it, and use our knowledge.

21 "Not 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. 22 Many 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?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The 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. 26 But 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. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.  

The Lord Jesus winds up the sermon on the mount by a passage of heart-piercing application. He turns from false prophets—to false professors; from unsound teachers—to unsound hearers. Here is a word for all. May we have grace to apply it to our own hearts!

Verses 21-23. The first lesson here is the uselessness of a mere outward profession of Christianity. Not every one who says "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of Heaven. Not all who profess and call themselves Christians, shall be saved.

Let us take notice of this. It requires far more than most people seem to think necessary, to save a soul. We may be baptized in the name of Christ, and boast confidently of our ecclesiastical privileges. We may possess head-knowledge, and be quite satisfied with our own state before God. We may even be preachers, and teachers of others, and do "many wonderful works" in connection with our church. But all this time—are we practically doing the will of our Father in Heaven? Do we truly repent—truly believe on Christ—and live holy and humble lives? If not, in spite of all our privileges and profession—we shall miss Heaven at last, and be forever cast away! We shall hear those dreadful words, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

The day of judgment will reveal strange things. The hopes of many, who were thought great Christians while they lived—will be utterly confounded. The rottenness of their religion will be exposed, and put to shame before the whole world. It will then be proved, that to be saved means something more than "making a profession." We must make a "practice" of our Christianity—as well as a "profession." Let us often think of that great day. Let us often "judge ourselves—that we be not judged," and condemned by the Lord. Whatever else we are, let us aim at being real, true, and sincere.

Verses 24-27. The second lesson here, is a striking picture of two classes of professing Christian hearers. Those who hear and do nothing—and those who do as well as hear. Both classes are placed before us, and their histories traced to their respective ends.

The man who hears Christian teaching, and practices what he hears—is like "a wise man who built his house on a rock." He does not content himself with listening to exhortations to repent, believe in Christ, and live a holy life. He actually repents. He actually believes. He actually ceases to do evil, learns to do well, abhors that which is sinful, and cleaves to that which is good. He is a doer as well as a hearer. (James 1:22)

And what is the result? In the time of trial, his religion does not fail him. The floods of sickness, sorrow, poverty, disappointments, bereavements beat upon him in vain. His soul stands unmoved. His faith does not give way. His spiritual comforts do not utterly forsake him. His religion may have cost him trouble in time past. His foundation may have been obtained with much labor and many tears. To discover his own saving interest in Christ may have required many a day of earnest seeking, and many an hour of wrestling in prayer. But his labor has not been thrown away. He now reaps a rich reward. The religion that can stand trial—is the true religion.

The man who hears Christian teaching, and never gets beyond hearing—is like "a foolish man who built his house on the sand." He satisfies himself with listening and approving—but he goes no further. He flatters himself, perhaps, that all is right with his soul—because he has feelings, and convictions, and desires, of a spiritual kind. In these he rests. He never really breaks off from sin, and casts aside the spirit of the world. He never really lays hold of Christ. He never really takes up the cross. He is a hearer of truth—but nothing more.

And what is the end of this man's religion? It breaks down entirely under the first flood of tribulation! It fails him completely, like a summer-dried fountain, when his need is the sorest. It leaves its possessor high and dry, like a wreck on a sand bank—a scandal to the church, a by-word to the infidel, and a misery to himself. Most true is it, that what costs little—is worth little! A religion which costs us nothing, and consist in nothing but hearing sermons—will always prove at last to be a useless thing.

Verses 28-29. So ends the sermon on the mount. Such a sermon never was preached before. Such a sermon has never been preached since. Let us see that it has a lasting influence on our own souls. It is addressed to us—as well as to those who first heard it. We are those who shall have to give account of its heart-searching lessons. It is no light matter what we think of them. The word that Jesus has spoken—"the same will judge us in the last day." (John 12:48)