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? Matt 7:3 ESV.
Who among us is without sin? Who has never made a mistake in judgment? Who has not made a poor choice from a critical situation? Who among us hasn’t lived up to God’s expectations for us? When you find that person, let me know. For the fact is, everyone we meet is like you and me, imperfect. They may think they are perfect. They may act like they are perfect. But deep, down inside, they are hiding behind a log in their own eye. Hypocrites.
I can imagine when Jesus spoke these words, he probably brought out a chuckle from the audience. For people who realize and live imperfect lives, know people who live in the illusion of perfection. These super righteous people establish high standards for themselves and expect others to live by them. Though they may forgive themselves when they can’t live up to them, they expound judgment toward those who can’t live up to their higher-than-God expectations. Hypocrites.
In fact, Jesus more than once gave a tongue lashing at the religious leaders of his day for being hypocrites. He even told his disciples to do what the religious leaders say to do, but don’t follow their examples and act like they do. For they don’t do what they teach others to do. Hypocrites.
Hypocrites are blind to their own humanity. Instead of exercising mercy and grace like God does for us, they play the god of religion. They establish standards and regulations that they themselves find difficult to perform, but expect others to live by them. Hypocrites.
When Jesus Christ is allowed to express Himself in and through you, you become disdained for the hypocrisy in you and others. Yet you are thankful for the mercy and love that God has bestowed upon you and long to share the same experience with others. You slowly become more transparent in your relationship with others. You gain confidence in your walk with the Spirit and rejoice in the new creation that God is morphing in you.
You recognize the lie of hypocrisy in yourself and in others. However, you first focus on removing the large beam you have been carrying in your eye before you help address the small splinter in your associates eye. Isn’t this what we do as we allow Jesus Christ to remove the hypocrisy in us as he morphs you and me into his new creation?
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married
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