The Sand Pile of An Unjudged Life (Part Four)

THE SAND PILE OF AN UNJUDGED LIFE Part Four

"...then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:5)

Perhaps it would be good to remind ourselves that that this series of devotional thoughts on "The Sand Pile of An Unjudged Life" is based upon our Lord's statement that whoever hears His sayings and avoids a proper response to them is like a man who builds his house upon sand. Among His sayings is this very clear teaching about the two-fold value of a judged life. Our Lord not only accents the significant value of a properly judged life, He states explicit the process and purpose of having such. (Mt. 7:5)

In our previous thought we looked at the proper standard by which we are to judge ourselves if we are to be of benefit in assisting others with proper judgment. Now we should look at the proper sequence of such judgment.

Proper sequence begins with personal observation.
Effective Judgment must first be personal. I must first deal with myself in the act of judgment.
"Why do you behold the mote (the withered twig) that is in your brother's eye, but you do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?" (Mt. 7:3)

Proper sequence continues with timely recommendation.
Our Lord makes it clear that we are not to proceed with our judgment recommendations to another until we have properly dealt with the verdict of our self-judgment.
"How will you say to your brother, let me pull the mote out of your eye;...?" (Mt. 7:4)

Proper sequence concludes with effective preparation.
We are not ready to render proper service to others until we have completed the responsibility of proper action concerning ourselves. The effective surgeon always washes before operating.
"...first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (Mt. 7:5)

The unjudged life is a double danger. It not only allows dangerous situations to remain within our lives but it also eliminates any proper and effective service we may have in assisting others. Our friends and our enemies deserve better from us. -- Dr. Robert L. Alderman is Minister-at-large at Shenandoah Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA

God's WORD for YOU: Psalm 110-112; Proverbs 22; 1 Corinthians 5

Great Quote: "The man who has been born again, and who has the divine nature within him, is a man who is righteous and his righteousness does exceed that of the ...Pharisees. He is no longer living for self and his own attainments, he is no longer self-righteous and self satisfied. He has become poor in spirit, meek and merciful. He hungers and thirsts after righteousness...He loves God, yes, unworthily, alas, but he loves Him and longs for His glory...(this) is a righteousness that far exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees." D. Martin Lloyd-Jones