"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." vs1-3

If we treat others with contempt, looking down our noses as better than them, then God will convict us of sin, and we won't have his peace. We're not dealing with others through Christ, so he's not revealing to us his love, mercy, and kindness. We think our Father is a taskmaster with little pity, because we're showing no mercy ourselves! Matthew 7:5, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

Go to the Father for YOUR OWN SINS, and you'll see clearly how to help others. Deal with your own self righteousness and pride… your lusts and failures… your own coldness of heart… and God will be gracious to you! You'll see a forgiving God, and you'll tell sinners there is mercy. You'll look upon your brother in Adam or in Christ with compassion. You'll feel for him in prayer. Proud judgmentalism and finger pointing will be defeated. You'll point sinners to the Lamb, because you've obtained mercy yourself. This is the spirit we need - not the mocking critic, but the weeping preacher of Christ. We need more love.

True Christianity is not, "Thank God, I'm not like others," but, "God, let me help them. You've helped me!"

Secondly, God is good and gracious.

Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

The Father delights to forgive and give the Spirit. He loves to make us holy. He will hear our prayers for Christ's sake.

Come to him in humility. Do not declare and decree. Recognize what he's promised, and obtain it.

We're so busy asking for the world, but he wants to help our inner man. "You do not have, because you do not ask." He's concerned with our character - that we'd honor Christ in all things.

He knows that we need food and shelter, and he will provide. He teaches us how to work for our bread. He also gives grace for the toughest storms, but come to him and ask. Don't murmur, or do it yourself. Come to your Father. He delights to help us, so be patient and believing. Christ's blood has given you access by paying for sins. Go to your Father, who cannot fail!

Matthew 7:8, "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Matthew 7:11, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"

Thirdly, the Law and the Prophets talk about love.

Matthew 7:12, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

In a strange way, I think we've missed it. Loving each other is undervalued. We want to be doctrinally accurate, so we can argue from the superior position. We even evangelize to build up ourselves. There's very little selflessness and generosity. We aren't strong on helping people in need. Our attitude has too much self.

Let's get the gospel in, so we can live it out. Let's be conscious of our unloving behavior, and repent. This will increase our happiness, as we see Christ, and taste his power to change us. Let LOVE be the goal of our religion.

1 Timothy 1:5 — "Now the purpose of the commandment [to preach the gospel] is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,"

Fourthly, few are truly saved.

Matthew 7:14, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."

The gospel has gone into all the world, but few live by its teachings. Self righteousness and licentiousness infest where even the true gospel is preached. There's a church within the church - a real group of saints within the assembly.

False teaching has killed denominations where truth was once preached. Houses built on solid ground are now filled with prosperity preaching, and fake miracles. They are dens of Satan, where Christless morality is taught. The love of the world is front and center, and God is given lip service hypocritically.

Do not let this happen to you! Enter by the narrow gate. Don't go with the multitude. Stand against your own family for the gospel. Embrace it, so you don't perish! Matthew 10:36, "and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household."