All scripture has been given by the inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If we study His word, meditate upon it and keep it in our heart, we can know His desires for us. Some Scriptures, for me, are more powerful than others. It does not lessen the value of any others though. I have been reflecting upon these Scriptures most recently and they pierce me to the heart. I pray that you may consider and reflect on these as well.
Luke 18:9-14 “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’”
Matthew 7:1-6 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”
These verses challenge my thinking, particularly as I consider my own faith and as I try to encourage others to follow Christ. Truth is, every single one of us have eye problems. We all have a speck or a beam. We are sinful people (Romans 3:23). Out of love we should care for our brother and sister. We should not lift ourselves up as the Pharisee to say that I am better than others, but we should humble ourselves as the sinner did.
God did not teach not to judge. We are fruit inspectors in every way (Matthew 7:15-20). By the fruits of others, we will know them. The point is, if I judge another, I need to be prepared to be judged by the same judgement. It is so easy to notice what others are doing in their Christian lives. Many times, we look at the behavior in others and see glaring inadequacies and hypocritical behavior. We become quick to judge that person or persons without thinking of our own shortcomings in our service to the Lord and interactions with others. Often, we are quick to see the hypocritical behaviors in others because it is the same hypocritical behaviors we display.
Judgement by Christians is often made of others in regard to clothing, hair style, interactions, and other things that can be very superficial and a matter of choice rather than salvation. I need to remember that some choices do not reflect a hope of salvation. I pray that as we look at others, we may consider our own choices and have patience and love with those around us. -Scott Judge
Scott M. Judge, Preacher, Elm Grove Church of Christ, Elm Grove, Ohio; He can be reached at: bbison7618@gmail.com
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