Matthew 7

Matthew 7 is a mixture of guidance and wisdom. We are not to judge others, that's God's job. If we are going to judge anyone it should be ourselves (the beam in our own eye).

Asking, seeking, and knocking are part of life. None of us is self-sufficient. We all have needs, and we all depend on God and each other to provide for those needs. We risk being told no when we ask, seek, and knock, but we must take that risk if we are to receive the blessings we seek. It's not about naming it and claiming it, it's about diligently pursuing what we need and trusting that God will provide it.

Jesus is the narrow gate. There is no way into the kingdom of God except through Him. The world will tell you that you are a good person, but we are all sinners in need of the forgiveness that only Jesus can offer.

We are not to be gift inspectors - we are to be fruit inspectors. Someone may claim or appear to have a gift, but the proof is in the fruit. Don't focus on the title of the gift, but on the fruit produced by it.

Not everyone who claims to be Christian is truly trusting in Christ. When we get to the judgement seat and are asked why we should be forgiven it's not because of anything we have done - it's only because of what Jesus did for us.

God is the only one we can ever truly trust - and we should trust Him completely. We should build our life on His word and His promises, and also heed His warnings and obey His laws. God is our foundation, and Jesus is our Cornerstone.