This week Cory invited us to re-read Matthew 7:1-5 in a way that invites us to acknowledge we are all vision impaired by the same stuff – regardless of whether it is a speck or a log – and that the goal is not to set ourselves over and against others by simply not judging anyone or anything, or by simply condemning everyone about all the things that irritate the hell out of or into us – but rather to participate in the work of removing our own “logs” in order to help our sisters and brothers remove the “specks” from their own life in such ways that we can all experience the active presence of forgiveness, healing, restoration, grace and mercy as given by and through - the ultimate judge - our Lord, Jesus!
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“Removing our blind spots is an ongoing work of repentance.
So, run to Calvary!
There, overwhelmed by God’s grace, you can THEN invite others to join you in God’s mercy.
What we don’t confess God can’t transform.
And the humility to speak into the vulnerability of others flows out of our own need for God’s mercy.”
[Matthew 7:1-5 AMP]
“Do not judge [criticize and condemn others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly].
2 For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you.
3 Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
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The Steeple Church Podcast is recorded on Wurundjeri land in the east suburbs of Naarm - that you will find on a map as Balwyn in Melbourne, Australia.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of these lands, the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation and we pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.
Sovereignty was never ceded.
You can view the full Steeple Church Acknowledgement of Country here.
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