Do We Have The Courage To Not Be Hypocrites?
Good Morning Friends,
Do you have the courage to let go of everything that you value more than God? Do you have the courage to see with new eyes? Today’s devotional meditates on two scripture readings. The first is from Luke, the most often quoted in the secular world, and in it we hope to see a practical wisdom designed to teach us a
valuable lesson. The second scripture is from 1 Peter and it is about preparing our minds for action. Both combine in a way that prompts today’s question. Do We Have The Courage To Not Be Hypocrites?
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)
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13-16 (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. It creates an internal division…a kind of spiritual schizophrenia. Our reputation as a bunch of judgmental hypocrites is not without evidence. It is an illness that needs healing. 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. The Bible is full of examples of how to live our lives….and how not to live them. We have the example of Abraham and his faith. We have the example of Job and his perseverance through trials. We have the perfect example of Jesus Christ. And it is here we learn that scripture wants us to…that Paul and Peter and Jesus wants us to be able to define ourselves as Christ like…as holy. We may find it difficult to consider ourselves Holy and perhaps we should, but we should also consider how we might measure up. Here we should consider a few habits that might collectively help us to imitate Christ beyond what is skin deep. Friends, all of us want to be a part of a church that’s vital and vibrant. We dream of a church 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. Perhaps 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. 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 are honest about who we are and pray we tell the truth. Pray we be less about appearances and more about the creation of opportunities to glorify God. Pray we not be double minded. Pray we are led by the Holy Spirit. Pray we are sanctified in the world but not of it. Pray that our example will lead others to Jesus. Pray that we stand strong in our commitment to Christ. Pray we fight for the truth to be in us. Pray we never compromise when it comes to Christ. Pray we conform to the image of God from the inside out.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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