Planks and Specks
If our vision is impaired, our judgment will be, too.
(Take note of the clarity of reflection in this photo of one of my favorite places in Scotland … oh that we might reflect the grace of our God as clearly!)
Christians: let’s make it our New Years resolution to “get the plank” out of our eyes “SO WE CAN SEE CLEARLY to take the speck” out of our brother’s.
“Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.“ Matthew 7:5
Really think about that…
We can’t point fingers at our brother or neighbor and accuse them of being blind when our own vision is impaired. If our vision is impaired, our judgment will be, too.
Clarity and discernment come when are living in the light (walking in obedience).
Fact: there are always unseen forces at work in the natural and in the spiritual world that seek to kill, steal, destroy, divide.
In order to have discernment in this hour we have to stay close to the Shepherd who said, “My sheep know my voice.”
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:10-15
How do we stay close? By choosing to lean into grace so that we can be empowered to live in the light we already have. Obeying what we already know will lead us into MORE light.
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14
This is a daily practice.
“Understanding is the reward of obedience.” George MacDonald
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. . . So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 5:7-10
Two things here:
First, if we are sowing into our flesh (take that as you will) or aligning with perversion and lawlessness, we will certainly miss the mark. Isaiah 30:1, Jeremiah 10:1, Matthew 24, James 4:4
But if we sow into the Spirit by leaning into Grace and obedience to what we know is good and right and true, we will find the light and life we need.
Second, “Do good to the household of faith.”
Do not isolate from your brothers and sisters in this hour. Do not be ashamed of them. (Read Luke 9:26 and remember: we are in his body!)
We need to help each other SEE CLEARLY! See Ephesians 4:3
Lord, please help me be willing to lay aside anything that might be hindering me from seeing things clearly so I can help my brothers and sisters see clearly, too.