Matthew 7:1-5

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is 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 brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

I was "burning up mad". I was so disappointed. I wanted to confront my brother and give him a peace of what I thought was God's mind.

Another good brother told me to basically "cool-it". I told him that there was "fire in my bones".

I arrived home still steaming with anger. But as I opened my heart to converse with God, I was reminded of my need to examine my own life. Maybe I was guilty of the same sin; maybe not in degree but still guilty.

As I examined my life, I believe God brought it to mind that I was "just as guilty". I had wanted to basically do the same thing just weeks ago, but because of (gracious and divine) circumstances, I was prevented from doing so.

So often it is so much easier to see the errors and sins of others than to see our own sins. But if we will take time to apply Matthew 7:1-5 to our own lives, God will give us the ability to see our own sins and to repent of them. Just as King David was blind to his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, God used the story of the sin of another man to help David see the magnitude of his own sin (2 Samuel 11:1-12:14).

Prayer: Lord, in measuring others, may we grant to others the grace you have so freely measured (given) to us. In Jesus' name. Amen.