Matthew 7:1-6
Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. Matthew 7:1-6 (NRSV)
I. Could. Be. Wrong. Four simple words that could change the world.
Growing up Episcopalian and later becoming an ELCA Lutheran, I made the assumption that most churches supported the LGBTQ+ community and ordained female pastors. It wasn’t until I began working at a non-profit several years ago where I learned that there were differences in how the Bible was interpreted surrounding those topics.
A beautiful thing happened during my years there…
I started having lunch with a coworker who belonged to a non-denominational church to discuss theological differences. We listened intently to each other and asked meaningful questions which led me to ask more questions to my pastor friends. My heart softened and rather than spending all my energy on defending my position, I came to better understand where she was coming from. We ended each lunch with a big hug and a sense of gratitude. With both planks out of our own eyes, we still didn’t see eye to eye, but we no longer judged each other.
Educating myself through those conversations helped me grow in my faith and affirm my beliefs. I gained more respect for my co-worker once I understood the “why” behind her beliefs. There wasn’t a “right” or “wrong” as much as a shared passion to honor God and love others well.
Faith growth requires open hearts and is what we are called to do as a church. Yet Jesus warned us in his Sermon on the Mount that we must not spend too much time trying to convince those with hardened hearts. (“Pearls before swine” is not only an interesting biblical topic to research, it’s a very fitting title for the popular comic strip!) Hardened hearts just lead to unhealthy debate. That’s what is happening in our world today, sadly.
A passion for being right is often guided by politics/relationships and leads us to judge others. A passion for doing the right thing is guided by God. All it takes is an open heart and the willingness to learn by asking others, “Help me understand why you feel that way.”
Question for Reflection:
- Is there a topic that spurs you to judge someone/an organization before you’ve even talked to them about it?
Prayer
Dear God, So much division exists because we rush to judgment. Help my heart be open enough to ask, “Am I part of the problem?” and grant me courage to do something about it. Amen.
Login To Leave Comment