Plank Eye

Matthew 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

I love it when Jesus is asking the questions! This passage is about not judging, good topic. But, a tricky one. Depends on which side of the question you are on. Those of us who are often asked why we are so harsh or judgmental do need to mind our own business, so to speak, if we are being harsh, hypocritical or unwilling to share our concern from the perspective of our own failures. From the other side of the equation we can tend to be hyper defensive about our sin because we don't want to face it and demand tolerance from everyone in spite of our own flagrant choices in defiance of what we know is right, and know is wrong. Both are problematic.

The key is to put Jesus in the formula. Make every conversation about Him if you are over- zealously confronting sin or trying to justify moral failure. Jesus is the key on either side of the equation. My guess is that if He were the focus there would be both more compassion and more accountability. Do any of us think for a moment that Jesus would support being judgmental, harsh or self-righteous? Conversely, I don't think the Lord would endorse so much unaccountability, wantonness and sinful behavior either. The answer is not 'live and let live'. The answer is not 'The Crusades' either.

The answer must be speaking the truth in love, transparency and accountability, no matter who you are or what you are doing. Last week we sang a song that used the term "plank-eye" to effectively communicate the humble recognition of our own culpability. We should know ourselves as Jesus knows us first, then see others as He sees them.... Then help as The Spirit leads. In that order and for the right reason. As Grace Harbor collectively matures in Him, may we do so with grace, mercy and love.

With His Love and mine,
Pastor Fred

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