Day 54 "Anyone can judge others, but to love one must purpose to obey."

Day 54

Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that you may not be 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."

When I think of how harshly I have judged people in my life, the thought of God judging me with that same harshness is more than a little terrifying. Jesus has given us everything we need to live a life that will change our world, yet we choose to go our own way, often with malice and forethought. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every believer were to stop looking at everyone else’s shortcomings and focus strictly on their own? For one thing, it would be a very short time before we would have no one to talk about or fuss over, for when we focus on our issues, we have little time to see those of others. Not to mention the fact that, if we were first able to get ourselves in order, all would then be in order, right? Look at it this way, if I have a problem with something you’re doing, and likewise, if you work on your issues and I work on mine (with God’s leading for each of us), then I could no longer have issue with you nor you with me. Wow, we just found the cure for one of the greatest causes of human suffering–dissention! Think of how much more impact we would have on the world if, as a body, the believers rallied around focusing on their own shortcomings rather than those of others. That kind of love has not been shown since Jesus walked the earth, and the effect of it is still impacting our lives today! All of that said, Jesus ends with providing us the prescription for truly helping others get on track and see clearly, "we get ourselves right." The passage ends with Jesus saying, ‘once we see clearly by having our life in order, then we can help others see clearly as well, all, of course, without judgment.’

Pastor Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, has based his entire ministry on the belief that all people need to walk complete with God is the Word, thus he (and all Calvary pastors) teaches through the Word. Pastor Chuck is correct in saying that all people need is the direction of the Word; however, many Christians hear it, and possibly even know it, but don't apply and practice Godly living. If we, as believers, would listen to the instruction of the living Word and apply it daily in our lives, we would no longer need retreats, marriage seminars, evangelism classes, etc., in order to keep ourselves on track. Not only that, but most of the people around us would be following in our footsteps as well, even without us telling them where we are headed. Why, you ask? Because of how blessed, peaceful, joyous, generous, and loving we would be–not because we try or plan to–because we couldn't help but be that way. Complete surrender to Christ is contagious, are you?

Daily Prayer: Father God, help us to seek to correct ourselves rather than focusing on the challenges of others in order that we may walk in the fullness of You, causing others to desire that love. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

"Anyone can judge others, but to love one must purpose to obey."

Pastor Gene Burroughs