Lesson 7 – The King’s Code of Justice
Read Matthew 7 – www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.7

In the last study we looked at the King’s code of righteousness. In this study we will look at the King’s code of justice. In chapter 7 we will see this code in the following subjects: judging, asking and receiving, how we treat others, and how the King will treat us when He judges us.

First, the King sets the rules for judging in verses 1-6. This first verse is perhaps the most quoted verse in the Bible by those who do not believe. They use it to tell us that we have no right to judge them and how they live. This is not the purpose of this verse. Verse 2 tells us we will be judged with the same code as we used to judge others. We should not be afraid of God’s judgment of us if we have been living by His code. Our judgment of others should be with the same love by which we ask God to judge us. We also do not judge others for the purpose of making ourselves look or feel greater.

The second code in verses 7-11 is asking to receive. It is our responsibility to ask God for the things we need. He does not want us to be self-sufficient, and if we live dependent on Him we will not be as likely to judge others. Verse 11 tells us that our Father in heaven wants to give us every good thing, just as we see in James 1:17 – every good and perfect gift comes from Him.


The third code in verses 12-20 returns us to the subject of how we treat others. Again, verse 12 is an often-quoted part of Scripture. But sometimes this verse gets turned around to say, “I will treat you the way you treated me.” That’s not what this verse says – it says, “I give you permission to treat me as I have treated you.” The following verses tell us to watch for those around us who use this verse incorrectly. In this case we are judging them by the fruit of their lives, just as we give them permission to judge us by the fruit of our life. If we are living by God’s code then we will have good things in our life, just as it says in verse 18.

The fourth code in verses 21-29 is about how Jesus will judge us when he returns. Verse 21 should be a warning to all because it says not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will be recognized by Jesus as being one of His. We must take care of our own life first, make sure we are His child, and that we bear fruit in our life by His code. Only then can we help others do the same.

*We should not judge others for _____
*What is a good reason to ask God for things we need? ____
*How should we treat other people? ____
*Why would Jesus reject someone in the judgment even when they call Him “Lord?” ____