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Date Posted: Sat, Aug 14 04
Author: Kenny B
Subject: Inward Reflection

Uh.., excuse me sir. There's a plank in your eye!


"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eyes and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Matthew 7: 1-5 -Words of Jesus-

A short time ago, I can recall an incident that happened to a particular person I know. This person had gotten into some serious trouble for doing some things that weren't expected of them. Without question, it cost this person some considerable consequences in their daily life. After hearing of the situation, I remember the first three emotions that came to me. Specifically, the first was of shock and bewilderment. Denial being the second. The last, and regrettably so, was of judgment.

More often than is admitted, we find ourselves in this seat.* For it is much easier to point out someone else's sin, flaws, and shortcomings, than to realize our own. Yet, when we are faced with the same situation and act in a similar manner, we'd be the first to say that, somehow, the situation is different. Knowing full well it is not. Commonly we place unfair standards and expectations on others, whether it be their actions, speech, looks or what have you.

Consider another example: Your friend is stopped at a stop light, when the two of you see a homeless person walking along the sidewalk. This person looks like they haven't eaten in days and the clothes on their body, appear to be the only one's they possess. You think about helping them out, giving them a ride to wherever they are going or even getting them a meal. You look to the other seat and tell your friend to give them a ride.

Your friend replies, "No way! Did you see how dirty that person was?!"

You shake your head and reply, "What would Jesus do? "

All the while, knowing had that been your car, you wouldn't have helped out either. But, instead of being truthful you would have come up with a better Excuse. Perhaps, "Picking them up could be dangerous". But the truth of the matter, you believe them to be just as appalling and dirty as your friend did.

The culmination of this email is this (and probably more so directed to myself than to you all): People don't need us to always tell them when they are doing wrong and what they need to do in response to that wrong. Especially when the situation would have yielded the same actions from us. Moreover, people don't need you to look down on them for their life circumstances. The world does that enough. Lastly, we don't have all the answers to life. We should stop acting like we understand it all. For if we did, we would never sin and we all do. (Romans 3:23)

Instead of these things, I challenge us to examine ourselves and our motivations behind our actions more. Equally important, let us share with one another the love Christ has for all of us. In this world we never hear enough of that.

As always, it has been my pleasure to "speak" to you and I hope that you find some encouragement in this letter. Take Care of Yourselves and live a victorious life in Christ. I'm excited about what God is going to do this next school year, I hope you are too.


A Fellow Christ Follower,


Kenny B

"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8


* I say "we" throughout, but what I really mean is me. In regards to this, I can only speak of what I do. However, I am sure someone else out there has or is dealing with this--judging others.

Note: There are times when correction is necessary. I'm not speaking against that, it will be covered in another email. But, anytime this is necessary; it should be done with love and the truth from God's Word.

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