Check your plank
by Sal Huckel
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘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?’ (Matthew 7:3).
This Scripture is familiar to us, and it is not surprising that Jesus made it so clear because judgement is part of our sinful nature. As Christians, we try to live to God’s standards but we know that only he is righteous. He took our judgement. We try to follow Jesus in his example of loving others, and one big part of that is loving each other despite our faults.
‘You do you’ is one of those overused phrases that can mean ‘just be yourself and ignore everyone else’ or ‘don’t tell me what I’m doing wrong; you just concentrate on your own issues’.
Perhaps that’s one message to take away from this passage – ‘You do you’. There is more here, though. We learn in the first verse that in the same way we judge others, we too will be judged. As we measure, it will be measured to us. It doesn’t say ‘Do not judge’. It means, be willing to be judged to the same standard, or in the same way, as we are doing. So, let’s consider what standard we are expecting others to live up to. How do we match up against those ourselves? Are we holding our children, friends, families, and those in authority to a higher standard than we can reach ourselves? Alternately, we may actually need to make a judgement against injustice, to speak against a wrong in matters that as Christians we are called to take a stand. We must do it with prayer and discernment and check our own plank.
Lord, help us to understand more deeply the implications of this Scripture. Challenge us as the body of Christ to love each other and those outside the church. Help us to be prepared to have those standards to which we hold others also apply to ourselves. You are the just and righteous judge. Amen.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
- To receive Daily Devotions a week in advance (so you can print and distribute them to congregation members and contacts who do not have computer access), simply contact lca.comms@lca.org.au and ask to be added to the distribution list. Printed devotions are delivered to inboxes on Fridays before midday.
