Today's Scripture
Question #1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? – Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2 For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? 5 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.
RJ's Devotion
As we start 2017, we wanted to examine the 22 questions of John Wesley. He challenged his followers to ask these rigorous self-examining questions, as they walk toward holiness. For the next four weeks, we will examine each question, daily. Also, I encourage you to read the ‘One Year Bible Reading Plan’ suggested by Bishop Sharma Lewis.
What the passage says
V. 1-2 We are called not to judge. Our judgment toward others will come back to us. Eugene Peterson says, ‘do not judge unless you want the same treatment.’
V. 3-4 We tend to pick on the ‘speck of sawdust’ on our neighbor’s face, while we neglect the plank in our eyes.
V. 5 Jesus says that we need to pull out the plank in our eyes, first, to help others. The Message says, “Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor” (v. 5 The Message).
What does the passage say to me/us?
Wesley asks this question, “Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?” knowing we all now that we are masters of covering up our flaws. We, especially Christians and pastors, tend to pretend that we got it all right. We do our best to cover our shortcomings, instead of laying on the cross. We are called to examine our hearts every day, but in this journey, we become afraid to look into our inner being, while we cover it up with our outward appearance.
Hypocrite comes from a Greek word, hupokrites, which means acting.
We, too often, put on a mask that not only covers up our shortcomings but also covers us from seeing the real problem inside of us. The mask we put on also blocks us from seeing God’s will.
When we hear God’s voice and focus on what is wrong with others, instead of missing the point of what God is saying to us, we are not looking into our soul.
When we read the Bible and do not see the meaning of the word, there is a high possibility that we have our mask on, not being able to look into our soul. James says that it is like having yourself in front of the mirror and merely walking away. Hypocrisy is our every attempt to avoid to look into our soul.
Jesus says, “first take the plank out of your own eye” (v. 5 NIV). A journey toward holiness means that we continue to examine our soul, in front of God’s words. We need to take off our masks, in front of the cross and see how God’s grace cleanses our soul.
Prayer
Lord, we commit our lives to you. As we walk toward this journey of holiness, help us to take off our mask and look into our soul. Help us to see how you transform our soul, and restore the light of Jesus through our life.
In Christ name, AMEN.
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