A WISE MAN AND A FOOLISH MAN, Dr. Samuel Lee
OPEN DOORS
Passage: Matthew 7:1~12  
Key verse: 7
Judging Others(A)
7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.(B) 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.(C)
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock(D)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you;(E) seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;(F) and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts(G) to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,(H) for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.(I)
Cross references
- Matthew 7:1 : 7:3-5pp — Lk 6:41, 42
- Matthew 7:1 : Lk 6:37; Ro 14:4, 10, 13; 1Co 4:5; 5:12; Jas 4:11, 12
- Matthew 7:2 : Eze 35:11; Mk 4:24; Lk 6:38; Ro 2:1
- Matthew 7:7 : 7:7-11pp — Lk 11:9-13
- Matthew 7:7 : 1Ki 3:5; Mt 18:19; 21:22; Jn 14:13, 14; 15:7, 16; 16:23, 24; Jas 1:5-8; 4:2, 3; 5:16; 1Jn 3:22; 5:14, 15
- Matthew 7:8 : Pr 8:17; Jer 29:12, 13
- Matthew 7:11 : Jas 1:17
- Matthew 7:12 : Lk 6:31
- Matthew 7:12 : Ro 13:8-10; Gal 5:14
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
We invent many ways to judge others. But judging is like shutting a door in one's face. Perhaps it makes us feel superior. Jesus did not come to judge, but to save. He didn't come to look down on us, but to become like us. Rather than judging, we can show compassion, mercy, and grace. Rather than judging, we ought to examine our own hearts and recognize our own need for mercy.
2. Ask, seek, knock (7-12)
Sometimes we are so sure that we don't ask. Or maybe we are scared to be unsure, so we don't ask. Or maybe we are simply scared of rejection or not getting anything. I found that asking questions and seeing where they lead often leads to a fuller and richer faith. It will also lead to further questions. God is not a closed door, but one that opens to more and more riches when we continue to ask, seek, and knock. God continues to fulfill the scriptures and advances his kingdom when we seek him more and more. He is a fountain of living water.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your grace and your generosity to open doors to me and to all who seek you.
One Word: The door will be open for you