Do You Have the Courage to See With New Eyes?
Good Morning Friends,
Do you have the courage to let go of everything that you value more than God? Do you have the commitment to discover the truth about the human condition… who you are and to reflect on what your life is producing? Today’s scripture, the most often quoted in the secular world, is practical wisdom designed to teach us a related
valuable lesson. Do You Have the Courage to See With New Eyes?
Scripture: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
Luke 6:37-42 (NRSV)Top of FormBottom of Form
10And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.
1 Corinthians 10:10-12 (NRSV)
6Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” 8He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. 9If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ‘
Luke 13:6-9 (NRSV)Top of Form
Bottom of Form
25He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’
John 9:25 (NRSV)
Message: Without knowing all the facts, we all make judgments about people all the time. It is really unfortunate that such judgments are all too common in the church. Our reputation as a bunch of judgmental hypocrites is not without evidence. Too many people have been hurt because of unfair judgments and condemnation. The real tragedy is often not the events that prompted the judgment in the first place but that this attitude keeps people from wanting to join the church. It keeps people blind to the truth. So today we are called to pay more attention to our own faults than the faults of others so we might be part of a bigger purpose. And yes that requires repentance for not seeing that everything is sacred. Friends, all of us want to be a part of a body of believers that’s vital and vibrant. We dream of God’s purpose in us revealed in a way that touches our soul and sends us into the world to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. But first we need to figure out the proper response to today’s teaching. Today we are to learn that it is inappropriate to pass judgment on people for their moral failures because in so doing we show contempt for God and His ways of leading people to repentance through kindness, tolerance, and patience. Friends, if we are to live we are to live in the Lord, we are to see divine purpose everywhere. If we are to be an authentic Christian community for the people in the world we need to be mutually accountable allowing God to be God and for us to fulfill our role as dispensers of grace, mercy, forgiveness and love.
Pray that we learn to apply the truth of scripture to our daily living so that we not be condemned by the world. Pray we judge ourselves with the mind of God in the Spirit of His love. Pray we forgive others but nudge the unrepentant who claim to be Christians to behavior that follows the clear guidance of God’s purpose for His church. Pray we give in the Holy Spirit to the greater glory of God. Pray we not judge or condemn others for their opinions or motives. Pray we lean toward forgiveness and mercy. Pray we not store up wrath against ourselves by failing to forgive. Pray we not judge unbelievers. Pray we realize that God alone is ultimately the judge of people but that we need to discern our behavior with a loving responsibility to the fellowship of believers. Pray that love and restoration always be our goal. Pray we allow the Lord to prepare us to see in a new way. Pray we have a lifestyle of stewardship. Pray we respond to the purpose of what God is asking us to do in our lives. Pray we are enabled to see with eyes of love. Pray we produce good fruit.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 