January 10, 2012

SO WHAT'S UP WITH YOU!?

Key Verse
"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3)
Read More READ THE CHAPTER

Central Truth

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) This is the central truth, can't improve on it. Thanks, Jesus!

Reflections

The maxim to not judge has wide appeal. This passage is a favorite of priests and pagans. The common application has often left me with the fragmented interpretation that my issues are huge, and the issues I see in others are small by comparison. Experience leads me to believe that this is not universally true. I'm not saying that my issues are small, but I do not think that Jesus was asking me to compare my bent towards the flesh vs. someone else's battle.

In studying this passage in context, I have come to a new conclusion. In my experience with specks in the eye, I have learned that I am first annoyed, then I am consumed, then I am asking for help. I could not function with a log in my eye. So what then? I abide. What I believe to be true about this passage is that Jesus was not asking me to believe that I have the biggest problem, the worst sin, the most stubborn habit. Jesus' teaching was that He has no expectation for me to save myself from my sin. He has done that. Second, He does not expect me to save my neighbor from theirs.

If someone has a speck in his eye, the only way I would know is if the person shared that information or was consumed by it. The only way I can help is for that person to initiate. From this passage, I am convinced that Jesus is saying we are best suited to help when we are working on ourselves. When our desire for ourselves is to abide in Him, He will convict us to help others abide in Him, too. The inherent self-righteousness that comes with being judgmental is the rub. We are inept when left to our own ability and perspective. When we authentically care about people with something in their eye, then relationships trump behavior. Ignoring sin is not the admonition. We are called not to focus on behavior, but to invite them into the same process of log maintenance that we are undergoing. So what's up?

Discussion Questions

1. How do I resist the urge to be proud instead of compassionate when others are wrestling with their splinters?

2. Am I willing to initiate so others may help me with my log?

3. Am I more compelled to help people up the mountain God has allowed me to climb or point out how far they have to go?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MATTHEW 6-10 (JANUARY 9-13)

Read Matthew 6:25-34.

What is worry? What do you worry about?
What does God say about worry in these verses?
What things in nature does God tell us He takes care of?
How does He take care of them?
How does God take care of you?

Activity: Make tissue paper flowers. Go to this link and watch the video for directions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXNeVq2RxFU&feature=related
(Note: use a pipe cleaner instead of string to make a stem.)

Once you have completed your flowers. Cut out green leaves and write verse 34 on each leaf. Put these flowers where they will remind you that God will take care of you just like He takes care of the flowers.

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.

  1. CB

    January 10, 2012 06:01 AM

    Bro, Powerful simplicity. Encouraging and applicable journey this morning. Thank you.

  2. AJ

    January 10, 2012 06:59 AM

    Ouch... Question three really hit home. Thanks for the insight, Robbie.

  3. Lyn Hardage

    January 10, 2012 07:27 AM

    Thanks for new insight on a well known passage. Made me think. Lyn Hardage

  4. Patricia Simmons

    January 10, 2012 07:31 AM

    Log maintenance...love it! So glad Bill and I have known you and Teri for most of those 21 years . Great job, Robbie.

  5. Kirk Mc

    January 10, 2012 08:36 AM

    Great work my friend. Not surprised, your insights always encourage deep consideration.

  6. Robert White

    January 10, 2012 09:15 AM

    Robbie, I hope folks copy/paste into their notebook your take on dealing with others by dealing with ourselves. We are blessed to have you!

  7. Joyce Vedrenne

    January 10, 2012 10:46 AM

    Son, you always amaze me with the way you encourage us to 'abide in Him'.

  8. Roddy

    January 10, 2012 11:16 AM

    Robbie, You clearly described the process of "log removal"! WHO KNEW!!... that we must work on our own logs before God can use us to help somebody else get rid of theirs!

  9. Sue Bohlin

    January 10, 2012 12:04 PM

    "I am convinced that Jesus is saying we are best suited to help when we are working on ourselves." Ooh yeah Robbie, that is GOOD STUFF!! Your whole devo is full of good stuff, but this is so powerful too: "The inherent self-righteousness that comes with being judgmental is the rub." Ouch. I have judgmental, critical flesh and need the mirror of God's word, and the wise devotional thoughts of trusted brothers, to be reminded of how ugly it is. . . Josh McDowell says that the most well-known Bible verse is no longer John 3:16 but verse 1 of today's chapter, "Judge not lest ye be judged." But that's not the whole story; next to verse 1 in my Bible I have written "John 7:24" to remind me that Jesus also said not to judge according to appearance, but to judge with righteous judgment. I'm pretty sure that starts with taking the speck out of our own eye first.

  10. Stacey

    January 10, 2012 12:57 PM

    I find this is most difficult with the people that are closest to us. How much more do we judge our spouses, our children, our brothers and sisters, than even strangers? Thank you for reminding me of what I need to do if I am really putting forth my best effort at abiding in Him. If he has forgiven us ... then why do I choose not to forgive? What if I approached all my relationships with Christlike humility? My human response is that I'll be a doormat. My God-seeking reponse is that He might walk alongside me (us) on the way up that mountain. I think I tend to push people close to me, thinking somehow if we are all "abiding in Him properly" then eventually we'll reach the top, but His truth tells me that can only happen to me after I leave this earth. And will I be standing there saying I did it all right, for his glory, and made sure those others who were not doing so got left behind because they were not working on their stuff in the way or time I expected? I guess this message hit home for me today! Thanks Robby!

  11. Aaron

    January 10, 2012 02:33 PM

    question three is convicting. thanks!

Leave a Comment

Sign Up to Join the Journey
Robbie Vedrenne

Robbie Vedrenne

My name is Robbie. This August, I will celebrate 21 years of marriage to Teri. We are blessed with five kids who are 9 to 19 years old. I am a musician, entrepreneur, philosopher, and sports fan. In other words, just a guy. Because we are in an election year, I must confess that I am a political junkie. The entire exercise of national and local politics engages my mind in a search for truth and my love of history is rekindled. Listening and watching others makes me quick to judge. I am learning that leaning on my own understanding just makes me arrogant.