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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We come to Matthew Chapter 7 and verses 13 to 23. This is the final section of what is called The Sermon on the Mount. We have been seeking to understand the text, and how we can apply it to our lives, in these present days, and this takes time.
It is a vital section of teaching from Jesus Christ, for disciples, and it is given near the beginning of His ministry. The scene has changed slightly in nature, in as much as we read of the crowds surrounding Jesus. People have been drawn in, and they are eavesdropping and spellbound and curious, wanting to hear more and learn more and know more – holding onto every word from the lips of Jesus.
Having begun with the character of disciples of Jesus, Jesus has gone on to speak about the behaviour of those who are called to be disciples.
If people paid close attention to what Jesus taught, much heartache and embarrassment and misunderstanding and stress and pain could be avoided.
It is not just – do you understand what I am saying? Jesus is saying – will you follow me or wont you? Will you take it and receive it and embrace it or reject it?
It is the question of choosing or deciding.
Jesus is describing two kinds of people – those who are false and those who are true – and he refers to prophets and trees.
Do not just accept every new thing you hear. Do not suspend your critical faculties. Do not just embrace everything uncritically – think – and most of all watch – and watch carefully.
Never mind what they say – never mind how honeyed their speech might be.
Verse 21 – Not everyone who says certain things like, “Lord, Lord,” is genuine and real and authentic.
Not everyone will enter the Kingdom, but only he who does the will of My Father.
So what is the will of the Father? We have to go to John Chapter 6 and verse 28 – believe. Believe in the one He has sent.
Is it real or is it just a sham – a mask – a hobby – a job? Do people really believe?
Does what they believe affect their behaviour, their kindness, their compassion, their care, and their concern?
There is such a thing as a counterfeit. It can have the right words, but not that powerful loving engine driving the life.
I am told that tellers in our Banks used to be able to recognise a ‘banknote’ as being false and counterfeit simply by the touch.
There comes that point when it is good to stop and check and examine ourselves, to make sure we are real, true, genuine, obedient disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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