Need for Each Other
From Dennis Kinlaw's This Day With the Master:
June 22
Need for Each Other
Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log 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. (Matthew 7:3,5 NRSV)
It is not easy for us humans to see clearly. All of us have trouble accepting the fact that we are fallen beings and are therefore capable of misreading things. Somehow because of the Fall, it is easier for me to see what's wrong with you than for me to see what's wrong with me. Did you ever notice how much easier it is to see another person's fault than your own? Perhaps we don't want to admit our fallenness because we don't know where to get help. However, we have been given substantial help, so if we continue in our blindness, it is our own fault.
First of all, we have been offered the Holy Spirit, who wants to live in us and transform us from the inside out. He wants to straighten out our crookedness, the twistedness inside you and me. We also have the Scriptures, which give us the picture of what a human person is supposed to be - the example of the Lord Jesus. We are to walk as He walked. A third help is one we so often miss: each other. Why can we not come to each other and say, "Help save me from myself"? We need to give thanks that God has given us each other. I need you, and I need you to help save me from myself.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we who call ourselves Christians wanted to desperately to please our Lord and we were so interested in His cause that we would open our hearts to each other concerning family, finances, discipline, integrity, and a host of other things, asking, "How can I do better?" If I would do that, I would find, perhaps to my surprise, that you are my friend and my help. That would help me be a better Christian, and my relationship with you would be a more effective witness than any of us alone can ever give.
4 Comments:
King James Only! Please.
I've been reading this devotional now for about a year and I am blown away by almost every page. I've never read anyone with such theological depth and pastoral wisdom combined.
Anonymous,
I'll pass on the King James, thank-you.
Thinking,
There is no one better than Kinlaw. He's the man.
Now after reflecting on Sean's devotional, wouldn't it be a wonderful painting to see two christians who understand this passage a little better,standing face to face allowing the other to help take the speck out of each others eye. I realize that I need that, but it takes a willingness to allow it to be done. This is called accountability.
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