Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye”
Those are some haunting verses. I was reminded of them today when I received an e-mail from someone after asking for prayer over an opportunity I have. As I read their response, my first response was anger and my second was reflection. Where is the heart of compassion Christ called us to have? Why do we look at other’s sin and immediately place judgment on them? Is our sin any different? Does Christ pour out His love conditionally based on the degree you have sinned? NO!! And for all our sakes, we should be very thankful. You see, it’s easy to spot the sin in other people’s lives. But as Matthew says, it is only a speck compared to the plank of our own.
I am thankful for the way my parents have raised me. My dad is the most compassionate person I have ever met. I don’t remember very many times he has judged someone based on something they have done or failed to do. He always assumes the best and has always impressed upon me the need to love people where they are. He has always encouraged me to love those people in my life who to others seem unlovely..to encourage those who seem to be on their last straw…even when everyone else is placing judgment. I have seen him go out on a limb, risking his own reputation to help someone in need.
So why are Christian’s so judgmental? Why do we have that reputation? Why do we instantly look at someone and pass determination of their lives, future, sins etc. Does not Christ say, “I wish that none would perish.” Should not we be like Christ and eat with the sinners and tax collectors? If Christ were to visit us today, would He be ashamed of the way we treat those around us who have fallen or who are lost? Do we get caught up in our bubble of life and fail to see the needs around us? Yes, we have to call sin by it’s name-but we are to hate the sin, not the sinner.
Just a thought..
Amanda
