Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. - Matthew 7:1-5

Dear Jesus,

You never pulled your punches.  You embarrassed the woman at the well with her failed marriages.  You berated the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and you confronted the man who slapped you in Caiaphas' court.  But you never pricked people's consciences to satisfy your own desire or to justify yourself.  Your bold critique was always motivated by love that made you use the law to drive people toward grace.  Watching your life helps me understand your words here in the sermon of the mount.  The only context in which you want me to point out sin, is a redeeming one.  Help me to be honest with sinners about their need for grace while being honest with them about the grace that meets their need.    

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God wants his children to confine their law preaching to a redemption context. If you don't know what that means watch Jesus deal with people in the four Gospels. 

Additional Reading: Galatians 6:1-6