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Obedience to Jesus Christ as the main criterion of Christian faith

We think we know what Christianity is. We see the external manifestations: buildings with crosses on the roof, we see people wearing cross-shaped jewelry, we hear words telling us about Jesus Christ and His life and death for the atonement of every person’s sins. But what is Christianity really? What is its true manifestation and what should it be in the Divine plan, according to His will? Let us turn to the Holy Scriptures of the Bible for this.

12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them likewise: for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are there that go in at it.

14 For strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there are who find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 So by their fruits you will know them.

21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be likened to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; but it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it. (Matt. 7:12-27)

Following Christ implies unconditional love for people, i.e. unconditional good attitude towards each person, regardless of their previous actions. At this moment, a person faces a moral choice – according to justice and the law, they should have applied cruel punishment to him, but they applied mercy, and how should I act further? A moral choice appears in a person – the law or mercy.

Jesus transfers the Law into the realm of desired relationships, where the motivation of fear is replaced by the motivation of love.

A man is known by his fruits

You can build on two foundations: to fulfill or not to fulfill the Word.

A person goes through the following stages of establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ

– learns the requirements of the Law and the consequences of its violation,

– receives grace and forgiveness instead of punishment, faces a moral choice;

– how to live on your own;

– to take revenge or show mercy, if the choice is correct;

– a birth from above occurs – of a new moral person.

Why is being born again connected with an internal moral choice? Can a sinful person make the right moral choice and follow the commandments of Jesus Christ?

Possible counter arguments

Living in obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ may be seen as an ideal for many believers, but there are counterarguments that can be made against this approach. Here are a few:

1. Individual Freedom: Obedience to commandments can limit personal freedom and autonomy. People may feel forced to follow rules that do not always correspond to their personal beliefs or life circumstances.

2. Contextuality of the Commandments: The commandments were given in a specific historical and cultural context. Some critics argue that their application in the modern world may be inappropriate or outdated.

3. Diversity of Interpretations: Jesus' commands can be interpreted differently depending on one's denomination or personal beliefs. This leads to disagreements and conflicts among believers, which calls into question the universality of these commands.

4. Moral Relativity: Some argue that moral standards cannot be universal and must be based on specific circumstances and the consequences of actions rather than on fixed commandments.

5. Psychological pressure: The pressure to follow the commandments can make people feel guilty or afraid of punishment for non-compliance, which can have a negative impact on mental health.

6. The Need for Critical Thinking: Complete obedience to commandments can hinder the development of critical thinking and independent analysis of moral and ethical issues, which is important for personal growth.

Let's look at the historical context of our passage to better understand whether a person can follow the commandments of Jesus Christ and what reward awaits him along the way.

To do this, we will conduct a historical and cultural analysis of our passage.

To do this, we will examine the history of the writing of the book of the Gospel of Matthew.

1.1 Authorship

The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Matthew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. However, the question of who exactly wrote this gospel remains a subject of debate among scholars and theologians.

Here are some key points regarding the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew:

1.1.1 Tradition: From the early centuries of Christianity there was a tradition that the author of the Gospel was Matthew, who was a tax collector (publican) and one of the apostles. This view was supported by many early Christian writers.

1.2.2. Anonymity of the text: There is no clear indication of its author in the text of the Gospel itself. Matthew's name is mentioned only in later copies and commentaries.

1.2.3. Linguistic and stylistic features: Some scholars note that the style and language of the Gospel of Matthew differs from the other gospels, which may indicate that it was not written directly by Matthew. For example, some believe that the text may have been created based on oral traditions or other sources.

1.2. The Addressee of the Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is considered to have been written primarily for a Jewish audience. This is evident from several aspects:

1.2.1 Old Testament Quotations: The Gospel of Matthew contains many references to Old Testament prophecies that show Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish expectations of the Messiah. This indicates that the author was seeking to convince Jewish readers that Jesus was the promised Messiah.

1.2.2 Discussion of the Law: This gospel places much emphasis on the Law of Moses and its fulfillment. Jesus is presented as the new Moses, who comes not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).

1.2.3. References to Jewish Customs: The text also contains references to Jewish customs and traditions, making it more understandable for readers familiar with Jewish culture.

1.2.4 Comparison with other Gospels: Unlike the Gospel of Luke, which is aimed at the wider Greek world and includes more universal themes, the Gospel of Matthew is more focused on the Jewish roots of Christianity.

Thus, the addressee of the Gospel of Matthew can be considered primarily the Jewish community, seeking to understand how the teachings of Jesus relate to their faith and traditions.

1.3. Date of writing

The exact date of the Gospel of Matthew's writing remains a matter of debate among scholars. It is generally assumed that it was written between 70 and 90 AD.

Some scholars believe that the Gospel may have been written after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70, when the Jewish community was facing new challenges and needed to rethink its faith in light of the events. However, the exact date remains uncertain, and different scholars may propose different time frames depending on their interpretations of the text and the historical context.

The purpose of writing the Gospel of Matthew is believed to have been for several key reasons:

1.4.1 Affirming Jesus' Messiahship: Matthew seeks to show that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah predicted in the Old Testament. He frequently quotes prophecies and demonstrates how Jesus' life and ministry fulfill these predictions.

1.4.2. Appeal to a Jewish Audience: The gospel is written with an emphasis on Jewish traditions and laws. Matthew often uses Jewish terms and concepts to convince his readers that Jesus is the one who came to fulfill the law and the prophets.

1.4.3 Establishing the Authority of Jesus: Through Jesus' teachings and miracles, Matthew emphasizes his divine authority and power. This is important in shaping the faith of early Christians.

1.4.4 Ethics and Moral Teaching: The Gospel of Matthew contains many commandments and instructions, such as the Sermon on the Mount, which emphasize the importance of moral and ethical principles in the lives of believers.

1.4.5. The Call to Mission: At the end of the Gospel is the Great Commandment (Matthew 28:19-20), in which Jesus calls his followers to go and preach the Gospel to all nations, indicating the universality of the Christian message.

Thus, the purpose of writing the Gospel of Matthew was to confirm faith in Jesus as the Messiah, to educate and strengthen the community of believers, and to prepare them for missionary work.

2. Historical moments of chapter 7 of the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew chapter 7 contains several key points and teachings that are important to both early Christians and modern readers. Here are the major historical and thematic points of the chapter:

2.1 Sermon on the Mount: Chapter seven is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which spans three chapters (5-7). This sermon is considered one of the main teachings of Jesus and deals with themes of morality, ethics, and spiritual life.

2.2 The Commandment of Judgment: In verses 1-5, Jesus says that one should not judge others if one has one’s own shortcomings (a beam in one’s own eye). This teaching emphasizes the importance of self-criticism and humility.

2.3 A Call to Prayer: In 7:7-11 Jesus teaches about prayer, calling people to ask, seek, and knock. He promises that God will answer sincere prayers. This passage emphasizes God’s closeness and care for his children.

2.4. The Golden Rule: 7:12 contains the famous commandment: "Whatever you want people to do to you, do that to them also." This rule is the basis of ethical behavior and is considered a universal principle of morality.

2.5. The Wide Gate and the Narrow Gate: In 7:13-14, Jesus compares the broad way that leads to destruction with the narrow way that leads to life. This metaphor highlights the difficulty of following Christ and the need to choose the right path.

2.6 Warning Against False Prophets: In 7:15-20 Jesus warns against false prophets and teachers using the image of the fruit of trees. This teaching emphasizes the need to distinguish between true and false teaching.

2.7 Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount: The chapter ends in 7:21-29, where Jesus speaks of the importance of not only hearing His words, but also doing them. He compares a wise man building on a rock to a foolish man building on sand. This emphasizes the importance of putting faith into practice.

3. Geographical moments of the 7th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 7 does not contain explicit geographical references as seen in other parts of the Gospel. However, some points can be related to the context in which the events take place. Here are some geographical aspects that can be highlighted:

3.1 Sermon on the Mount: Chapter seven is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is believed to have been delivered on a mountain in Galilee. This location symbolizes Jesus' teaching and his address to the people. It is important to note that Galilee was the region where Jesus spent most of his ministry.

3.2. Symbolism of Paths: In verses 13-14, where the wide and narrow gates are mentioned, a geographical metaphor can be seen. The wide and narrow paths can symbolize the choice between different paths in life, which can also imply different directions or regions that people can follow.

3.3 The Simile of Houses on Rock and Sand: In the final verses of the chapter (verses 24 to 27), Jesus uses the image of building a house on rock or sand. Although this is also a metaphor, it may reflect real geographical conditions, such as the presence of rocky areas or sandy shores, which may have been familiar to the listeners.

4. Cultural Moments of Matthew Chapter 7

Matthew 7 contains several key cultural points that reflect the context of the time and society in which Jesus lived. Here are some of them:

7.1 Sermon on the Mount: This chapter is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which includes important moral and ethical teachings. In Jewish culture, the teaching and interpretation of the Law (Torah) played a central role, and Jesus addresses this by offering a new understanding of the commandments.

7.2 Judgment and Forgiveness: In verses 1-5, Jesus talks about not judging others unless one is free from sin. This reflects the Jewish practice of self-criticism and the importance of inner purity before judging others. In the culture of the time, judging could be linked to social status and public opinion.

7.3 The Golden Rule: In verse 12, Jesus states the Golden Rule: "Whatever you want people to do to you, do that to them also." This expression reflects the values of mutual assistance and respect for others that were important in Jewish culture and remain relevant in modern society.

7.4 Imagery and Metaphors: Jesus uses various images, such as the narrow and wide gates (verses 13-14), to convey his ideas to his listeners. These metaphors were understandable to the people of his day and helped illustrate complex spiritual truths.

7.5 Building on Rock or Sand: The final verses of the chapter (24-27) use the image of building a house on a solid foundation. This may be related to the practical aspects of life in Palestine, where conditions could vary greatly. The image also symbolizes the importance of spiritual stability and wisdom.

7.6 Religious and Social Structure: The chapter deals with the issues of authority and leadership in the religious community. Jesus criticizes the hypocrisy of religious leaders and emphasizes the importance of sincerity in faith.

5. Let us consider the literary context of the Gospel of Matthew.

The Gospel of Matthew is one of the four canonical Gospels of the New Testament and occupies an important place in Christian literature. Its literary context includes several key aspects:

5.1 Authorship and Audience: The Gospel is traditionally considered to be authored by Matthew, one of the twelve apostles. This Gospel was probably written for a predominantly Jewish audience, as is evident from the numerous references to the Old Testament and the emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy.

5.2 Structure and Style: The Gospel of Matthew has a clear structure, divided into five main parts, each ending with a formula about the end of Jesus' speech. This may be a reference to the five books of Moses (the Torah), which emphasizes Jesus' connection with the Jewish tradition. The writing style includes the use of metaphors, parables and allusions to the Old Testament.

5.3 Themes and Emphasis: The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the teaching of Jesus as the new Messiah who comes to fulfill the Law and the prophecies. It emphasizes the importance of moral teaching, including the Sermon on the Mount, and emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven.

5.4 Comparative Analysis: In a literary context, it is important to compare Matthew with the other Gospels (Mark, Luke, and John). For example, Matthew includes more extensive teachings of Jesus and more references to the Old Testament than Mark does. This makes it unique in its presentation of Jesus as the fulfiller of ancient prophecies.

5.5 Historical context: The Gospel was written in the context of an early Christian community seeking its place in the world after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. This gives the text additional meaning as it addresses questions of identity and faith in the context of persecution and change.

5.6 Climax and Conclusion: The final part of the Gospel (chapter 28) describes the resurrection of Jesus and the Great Commission to the apostles, which emphasizes the missionary aspect of early Christianity and the call to spread the teachings of Jesus throughout the world.

Thus, the literary context of Matthew's Gospel enriches our understanding of its content and meaning, highlighting both its connection with Jewish roots and unique aspects of early Christian teaching.

6. Genre

The Gospel of Matthew can be classified into several genres that intersect and complement each other:

6.1. Historical genre: The Gospel is a narrative of the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It seeks to convey the facts and events associated with his life, which makes it part of the historical genre.

6.2 Religious Literature: As part of the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew serves as a religious text for Christians, containing teachings and commandments that are of great importance to believers.

6.3. Homilistic Genre: The Gospel contains many teachings and parables of Jesus, making it an important text for preaching and instruction. The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7) is a prime example of this genre.

6.4 Paradigmatic Genre: The Gospel of Matthew includes many parables and allegories that are used to convey spiritual truths and moral lessons.

6.5. Apologetic genre: The text contains attempts to defend the Christian faith by showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of ancient prophecies of the Old Testament.

Thus, the Gospel of Matthew combines elements of historical narrative, religious literature, preaching and paradigmatic genre, which makes it a multi-layered and content-rich text.

7 The Gospel of Matthew Outline

1. Introduction (Chapters 1-2)

• The Genealogy of Jesus Christ (Chapter 1:1-17)

• The Birth of Jesus (Chapter 1:18-25)

• The Worship of the Wise Men and the Flight into Egypt (Chapter 2:1-15)

• Return to Nazareth (Chapter 2:16-23)

2. The Beginning of Jesus' Ministry (Chapters 3-4)

• The Sermon of John the Baptist (chapter 3:1-12)

• The Baptism of Jesus (Chapter 3:13-17)

• The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness (Chapter 4:1-11)

• Beginning of ministry and calling of the first disciples (chapter 4:12-22)

3. The Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7)

• Beatitudes (chapter 5:1-12)

• The Teaching of the Law and Righteousness (Chapter 5:13-48)

• The Practice of Godliness (Chapter 6:1-18)

• Teaching on Wealth and Cares (Chapter 6:19-34)

• Conclusion of the Sermon (Chapter 7:1-29)

4. Miracles and Signs (Chapters 8-9)

• Jesus' Healings and Miracles (Chapter 8:1 – 9:34)

• Healing of the leper

• Healing of the centurion's servant

• Healing of Peter's mother-in-law

• Calming the storm

• Healing of the possessed

5. The Call and Mission of the Disciples (Chapter 10)

• The Epistle of the Twelve Apostles (chapter 10:1-42)

6. Society's Response to Jesus' Ministry (Chapters 11-12)

• John the Baptist's Doubts (Chapter 11:1-19)

• Jesus and the Lawyers (Chapter 12:1-14)

• Prophecy about the Messiah (chapter 12:15-21)

7. Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven (chapters 13)

• The Parables of the Sower, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven (Chapter 13:1-52)

8. Conflicts and confrontations (chapters 14-16)

• The Murder of John the Baptist (Chapter 14:1-12)

• The Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves (Chapter 14:13-21)

• Peter's Confession (Chapter 16:13-20)

9. The Teaching on Suffering and Service (Chapters 16-20)

• Prediction of Jesus' suffering (chapter 16:21-28)

• The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Chapter 20:1-16)

10. The Passion of Christ (chapters 21-27)

• Entry into Jerusalem (chapter 21:1-11)

• Cleansing of the Temple (Chapter 21:12-17)

• The Trial of Religious Leaders (Chapters 21:18 – 22:46)

• The Passion, Crucifixion, and Death of Jesus (Chapters 26:1 – 27:66)

11. The Resurrection and the Great Commission (Chapter 28)

• The Resurrection of Jesus (Chapter 28:1-10)

• The Great Commission to the Disciples (Chapter 28:16-20)

Our passage is in Part 3 of the Sermon on the Mount, in its final, practical part. Jesus, having established the Beatitudes, gives practical recommendations on how to follow them, and what they mean from the point of view of internal moral choice.

The practical part of any sermon is necessary for the audience to implement the stated principles in life, and the criteria for their successful or unsuccessful application. Just stating the principles would reduce them to moralizing and deprive the audience of the opportunity to practically apply them in their lives.

12 Therefore, in everything, treat others as you want them to treat you. This is the essence of everything written in the Law and the Books of the Prophets!

13 {The Narrow Gate} Enter through the narrow gate. The way that leads to destruction is broad, and the gate is spacious, and many enter in through it.

14 But strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

15 {A tree is known by its fruit} Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 You will know them by their fruits. Do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?

17 A good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.

18 A good tree does not bear bad fruit, and a bad tree does not bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 So you will know them by their fruits.

21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, and perform many miracles?”

23 But then I will say to them, “I never knew you; get away from Me, you evildoers!”

24 {Two Foundations} He who hears My words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.

25 The rain came down, the rivers came up, the winds blew and beat against the house, but it stood firm, because it was built on a rock.

26 But everyone who hears my words but does not put them into practice is like a fool who built his house on the sand.

27 The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell, and its fall was terrible. (Matt. 7:12-27)

I Jesus Transfers the Law into the Sphere of Desired Relationships

A As you would like to be treated

B Enter through the narrow gate

C Wide gates lead to destruction

D Few find the way to salvation

II A man is known by his fruits

A We know the life of people by their deeds

B It is not enough to be called a Christian, it is important to be one

C Many will say, “We served You!”

D will answer: “Move away, I don’t know you.”

III It is possible to build on two foundations

A What does it mean to build on rock?

B What does it mean to build on sand?

C To listen and perform or not to perform.

D The consequences are appropriate

The Bible shows us the following stages of establishing and developing the relationship between God and man:

1. God created the world and man in it for eternal relationships filled with love.

2. Man sinned and lost his relationship with God.

3. God spoke to humanity through the prophets, preparing it for the coming of the Son.

4. Jesus came into the world to show the Father's love in action.

5. We receive forgiveness and establish relationships

6. We change in preparation for our “marriage” in Heaven

To establish eternal relations with God, filled with love, a deep internal change of a person is necessary. For this, God grants him internal moral freedom – applies mercy to him, instead of the prescribed punishment and expects further retransmission of this approach in the life of a person in relation to other people. This criterion becomes the main one in assessing a person's life. If he was able to make the right moral choice, we can talk about the person's birth from above. If this did not happen, then the person remains in the old system of relationships of the old world.

To receive forgiveness and grace in your life, simply pray and ask God to forgive you for your life without Him in the name of Jesus Christ. Ask Him to come into your mind and heart and expect His answers, they will surely follow. Find a local church and attend it regularly, find your ministry and follow the Lord faithfully!

May God bless you in your search for Truth!

With respect, prayers for you and God's love

Rustam Kodash Nasyrov.

True love