"Being Real" (Matthew 7:13-23)

Question

If I said … this message was entitled “being real”, what do you think would be included?

Introduction

We have recently celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. This should NOT just be something we think about once a year. This should NOT just be a matter of historical record. The resurrection of Jesus should NOT be just something we come to accept in our heads, but RATHER something that changes our lives. It is in the resurrection of Jesus that we should live every day – new life, new creation, new opportunities, new mindset.

A Serious Challenge

We see in Matthew Chapter 7:21-23, that there were people who might call Jesus … “Lord, Lord” (v.21) – but whom Jesus does NOT recognise. They say the word “Lord” twice, as if this might be more convincing, yet, it seems, have never really backed this up in their actions. They have even sought to do good, yet Jesus says, “I never knew you” (v.23). The key to being recognised by Jesus, and thus participating in the “kingdom”, is what??? Doing the will of the Father (v.21b).

We should have the prayerful and passionate words of Jesus (in the Garden of Gethsemane – just prior to his crucifixion) ringing in our ears – “Thy will be done”! The only thing that mattered to Jesus was doing his Father’s will (also e.g. when tempted in the desert).

Just saying the right words will never be enough. We can’t fool God … who sees into our heart. “On that day” (v.22a), when all is revealed (whenever that happens for us), when all pretences and disguises have been stripped away, what will remain … of value … in us? Michael Green wrote, “I fear that so much which passes as Christianity, will be shrivelled up in the day of judgment, and be found to be bogus and worthless”. [One can also refer to the even more caustic comments of Jonathan Bonk, cited in CJH Wright’s “The Mission of God’s People”, page 196.]

Knowing Jesus

How then does Jesus truly get to “know” us? We have seen that Jesus “knows” us … in our willingness to collaborate with God’s will (v.21b). So for us to be sure that Jesus “knows” us, we need to be putting out feet in the water of worship and service. We might say, that God only “knows” us, as He recognises Jesus in us; or perhaps, Jesus only “knows” us, when he sees a mirror reflection … of himself … in us. This all bids a deep relational connection with Jesus!

‘Being real’ is about all our beliefs, attitudes, words and actions all coming into alignment. This is not just a command, this is the way of salvation and the way of wholeness, and the way of fulfilment. This is the way of resurrection life.

We perhaps all have regrets in this area, and times of letting ourselves down. This could happen when wanting to be accepted means more than being true to who we are.

Context

What we are reading in Matthew 7, is the tail-end of Jesus ‘Sermon on the Mount’ teaching, that began with the ‘beatitudes’ and the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. Jesus is expecting his listeners, followers, disciples, to apply all his teaching to their daily lives. And surely nothing quite gets our attention as much as this – when Jesus replies to those who say to him, “Lord, Lord” – “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers”! That surely would tend to jolt us from any complacency!!

The “Narrow Gate” (v.13-14)                                

Let us consider the “narrow gate” in verse 13. This has NOTHING to do with being ‘narrow-minded’ … such that we judge others; and NOTHING to do with being exclusive … such that we reject those who don’t agree with us. The “narrow” gate is actually open to all, it’s just that so many (sadly) miss it.

The gate that leads to (real) life is “narrow” … why?? Because not everything fits through there. There are certain things that block our path through this “gate”, and thus inhibit life and inhibit growth. To enter through the right “gate”, some things have to be dropped off our backs. Certain distractions, wastages, self-indulgences and secret habits don’t fit through. Neither does hardheartedness, being judgmental, hatred or unforgiveness. Nor do large egos, the desire for power, control, personal influence or special status. Such things are too broad for the “narrow gate”. This is the sort of weight we need to lose!

Such things as these (e.g. indulgences, unforgiveness, ego) need a much wider “gate”, however, this wider “gate”, we read, “leads to destruction”. So, we don’t want to take that path, better to drop off these excesses. That wider “gate” lacks ethical and moral frameworks, and also lacks purpose. We can blindly follow the crowd through any old “gate” of popular opinion; or take the other “gate” – the one with the lighted lampstands!

We should ask ourselves the same question that is being put in verse 21. What serves healthy life? And, even more practically speaking, what serves God’s purposes and Kingdom objectives?

In John’s Gospel we also hear about a “gate” (John 10:9). Jesus says, “I am the gate”. So, again we see that … access through this “gate” and into (true) life, is through a personal relationship – a personal relationship with the risen Jesus … that changes everything about our life. We are still that unique personality, but everything else about us turns to the positive. We are hopeful, forward-thinking, creative and (most of all) forgiving. We become peace-makers in a world of strife! And, in so doing, we become aligned perfectly with God’s will.

Identifying the “False Prophets” (v.15-20)

If we can lead ourselves astray and thus (ultimately) miss the “narrow gate” – when we get to the next verses, we are confronted with the possibility of being led astray by others. Who do we listen to? Who do we trust? Who do we let lead us? Some people may seem to be on our side, but when it comes down to it … they are only on their own side. They want to justify their own ungodliness, by adding to their own adherents (and their influence over others).

If we want to know whether a certain person should be followed, or allowed to influence us in our opinions and behaviour, then what do we look at??? Their fruit (v.16a)! Their output!! We can look at where those particular lives are heading.

Here are some tests we can apply:

(i)                THE RELATIONSHIP TEST. Do we see the positive encouragement of others (based on a real desire for their growth and development)? Is there evidence of prayerful and practical support of others?

(ii)              THE TEAMWORK TEST. Do we see involvement in, and commitment to, the church community? Is there evidence of church-building activity, the use of spiritual gifts for the common good, a helpful level of sacrifice, collaborative worship and community mission?

(iii)            THE CHARACTER TEST. Do we see the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ evident? Which are??? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity (goodness), faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-3)? Faithfulness, for one, is not letting anyone down – not letting anyone become disappointed in you! Anything other than gentleness and self-control … doesn’t fit through the “narrow gate”!! The ‘fruit of the Spirit’ is indicative of Christlikeness!

Verse 19 is suggestive of our response … when we gauge that someone should NOT be leading us. We no longer allow them to influence us. For their behaviour does NOT measure up to Jesus. We should NOT be unduly influenced by those on a completely different road – we should rather be influencing them … concerning the road to Jesus.

Ultimately there is only One person to follow – Jesus. But there are others who have successfully modelled themselves on Jesus, and truly become his disciples, who can become our guides and mentors (in becoming more like Jesus). Who are they? We just need to carefully look at the fruit of their lives. Having said this, we should all, ourselves, be seeking to be worthy guides and mentors of others – all producing fruit worthy of our Lord.

Being Real (v.21-23)

This brings us back to those verses where we began (21-23). We might think we are on track, but are we really? Or are we just pleasing ourselves – while putting on some spiritual make-up? Are we truly linked into God, hearing His voice in Scripture, adhering to His guidance, following in His ways, and performing the particular roles He has given us? Disciples live under the discipline of their leader (and teacher).

We thought we were serving in the Lord’s name, but could it be we were pretending – not just fooling others, but also ourselves? There may have been ‘good works’ with reasonable outcomes (like we read in verse 22), but possibly NOT what we were meant to be doing. We could have been aiming at the public gifts, when we were meant to be serving in quieter practical ways!?

Conversely, we may have been hiding in the background (not making any waves), when we were supposed to be putting up our hands in new (and challenging) areas of ministry!? [Have we perhaps, neglected relationships with our brothers and sisters in the church.] Have we perhaps confused frenetic activity with focussed ministry? In any of these less-than-best situations, we were likely NOT listening to Jesus.

Conclusion

Words can be cheap; while actions reveal where we are really at! But those actions must be tied into, and emanate out of, our deep personal relationship with Jesus. In this way, all our beliefs, attitudes, words and actions come into perfect alignment; and can ably serve the will of God.

So … are we being real?