Thursday; December 2

One of the things I have learned in life is how good I am at finding the faults in others. I could be an expert scout when it comes to identifying failure. I can spot someone else’s failings at a hundred paces with one eye tied behind my back. You might think I am bragging, but it ain’t bragging if it is true, right? Unfortunately – and the real problem with this is that it is not by job to lead the pack of faultfinders. This revelation shouldn’t surprise anyone, but there is another challenge to this issue. In addition to encouraging the forgiveness of others, I need to be working on identifying and correcting my problems. Rather than beating up others for what they have done wrong, I need to invest my energies into correcting my errors (or maybe I should call them what they are – my sins). Rather than peering through binoculars to be the first to spot the failure of others, I need to look at myself in the mirror.
When Jesus addressed this issue early in His ministry, He challenged believers, “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). While the thought of helping someone pick the sawdust out of their eye with a log sticking out of our eye is humorous, oblivious self-righteousness is no laughing matter.
Let’s make sure we are taking care of our own flaws before criticizing others. When we do, not only will we be better at fixing problems, we’ll also be better at forgiving them.

Think About It!

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