060: Spiritual Slice'n'Dice

April 16, 2010
Matthew 7

I love Jesus’ talk to his disciples “on the mountainside.” I love mountains, and I love the direct, authoritative, straightforward way that Jesus dialogues. I find myself coming back to the gospels – and especially this section in Matthew – when I feel like I just need to hear what Jesus would say to me for where I’m at in life.

I read this chapter several times in the last 24 hours and I’ve been convicted by it on multiple levels. While I’m terrible about making up my mind on certain things (like what to order at a restaurant – I absolutely HATE that process), there are some things I can decide quickly on. Like how people should be doing things different in their lives. And how people are wrong in what their doing. And what I should say to them that would presumably fix all their problems if they would just LISTEN to me. Hm. Sound familiar? Like… Pride? Ugh.

There’s just so much in this chapter I wish I grasped better and REALLY integrated into my life. Does anyone else seem to struggle with this issue of amnesia as much as I do? “Do not judge others and you will not be judged.” That seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? Do I remember it? Uh, no. Not really. I do when other people are judging me, but when I’m judging others, I don’t.

“Keep on seeking and you will find…” Seems promising, doesn’t it? But do I remember to keep praying for the same thing? Or do I find myself giving up on asking God and instead growing bitter and resentful? That’s usually the case. I just disgust myself sometimes.

And then comes the killer: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” I am ashamed to say that I don’t live that out. I speak sharply to friends, I ignore my family’s requests, I resent the inconvenience of other people, and yet I expect people to say kind things about me, I expect my family to want to fulfill my needs, and I expect others to be delighted to go out of their way for me – for the simple pleasure of serving.

When I read it and pay attention to it, I’m sobered and humbled, and driven to my knees when I read “Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” AM I doing His will? AM I “[loving] the Lord [my] God with ALL [my] heart, ALL [my] soul, ALL [my] mind, and ALL [my] strength. I don’t think so.

Why does God still want me? Why does He value me and cherish me? Why does He keep working in my life to convict me and make me more like Himself? Why does He want to spend eternity with me? Why does He care?

I’m not sure. But I’m glad He does. And I’m EVER so thankful for His promise of new mercies every morning.