(Luke 6:41-42) “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? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
(Luke 6:37) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
(John 3:16-17) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we do not expect unbelievers to live by God's standards (Mt.7:6)
- that we do not judge others (Mt.7:1, Lk.6:37)
- that we do not condemn people, expressing complete disapproval of them (Lk.6:37)
- that we first confess our own sins and get right with God, before pointing out the sins of others (Mt.7:5, Lk.6:41-42)
- that we use righteous discretion and wisdom, pure motives, love and kindness when sharing the good news message of salvation with unbelievers, or counseling a believer who is on a destructive path (Jh.7:24)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your forgiveness of sins and the loving grace that You give to Your children. There will be no judgement waiting for us when we stand before You in heaven; but for now, there is Your loving discipline when we disobey. Help us to see that the consequences of our actions are there to correct us. Help us see and feel the logs that are in our own eyes, so that we will continuously and humbly seek reconciliation with You, and seek Your wisdom and direction.
Thank You that You came to die for everyone, without judgment. There will be judgement waiting for unbelievers when they stand before You one day; but for now, You reach out to the world with Your unconditional, sacrificial love, desiring to have a personal relationship with everyone. May we be like THAT... may we desire to be more like You - showing love and kindness to the world - to share with them not just the bad news - but share with them the GOOD news that leads to salvation and eternal life with You. Amen.
(Luke 6:37) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
(Matthew 7:1-6) “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 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? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, 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 brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
(John 7:24) “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.(John 3:16-17) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we do not expect unbelievers to live by God's standards (Mt.7:6)
- that we do not judge others (Mt.7:1, Lk.6:37)
- that we do not condemn people, expressing complete disapproval of them (Lk.6:37)
- that we first confess our own sins and get right with God, before pointing out the sins of others (Mt.7:5, Lk.6:41-42)
- that we use righteous discretion and wisdom, pure motives, love and kindness when sharing the good news message of salvation with unbelievers, or counseling a believer who is on a destructive path (Jh.7:24)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your forgiveness of sins and the loving grace that You give to Your children. There will be no judgement waiting for us when we stand before You in heaven; but for now, there is Your loving discipline when we disobey. Help us to see that the consequences of our actions are there to correct us. Help us see and feel the logs that are in our own eyes, so that we will continuously and humbly seek reconciliation with You, and seek Your wisdom and direction.
Thank You that You came to die for everyone, without judgment. There will be judgement waiting for unbelievers when they stand before You one day; but for now, You reach out to the world with Your unconditional, sacrificial love, desiring to have a personal relationship with everyone. May we be like THAT... may we desire to be more like You - showing love and kindness to the world - to share with them not just the bad news - but share with them the GOOD news that leads to salvation and eternal life with You. Amen.
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