The relationship you can rely on
As we have already noted, Matthew 7 is all about relationships. We've seen that we can't sit in God's seat to pronounce ultimate judgement over others, but we may and must be discerning about limiting the power of toxic people in our lives.When we are tempted to judge people and when we have to avoid toxic people, there is a very serious danger that we can develop a critical spirit or that we stop trusting people. In other words we can become toxic ourselves.
Jesus addresses this danger by reminding us of a relationship we can be sure of and rely on: Our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
It's such a beautiful picture He offers us:
- Our Father is responsive: we can ask, seek and knock and we will receive, find and be able to enter the opened door.
- Our Father will not give us bad gifts.
- And even when earthly fathers fail, our Heavenly Father will not.
Have you had a tough week where people have let you down?
Have you been so frustrated by people's failures that you have become hyper-critical and cynical? Have you been badly hurt by people you gave your "pearls" to? Are you in danger of becoming toxic yourself?
Jesus invites us to return to our Father...
| Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his 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 to those who ask him! (Matthew7:7-10) |
