“The Mirror is a Better Starting Place than a Microscope”
Speaker: John J Roberts
Date: July 17, 2022
Text: Luke 6:37-42
Introduction
Facing the Mountain: The True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II.
-by Daniel James Brown
Luke 6:37-42
Let’s recognize first that we’re going to make some judgments!
WE WILL MAKE JUDGMENTS.
Jesus made judgment statements… Matthew 23:13-15…
Paul wrote about judgment… I Cor. 12:12-13…
Let’s look with Care at the basic tenor of our character.
Jesus teaching in this parable is a continuation of his teaching with regard to love. It’s a continuation of his teaching that we’ve come to call The Golden Rule.
Matthew 7:12…
Mark 12:28-31…
The exhortation from Jesus here is to live generously
The law and legalism will always carry with them the spirit of death and the spirit of never measuring up… and it’s exhausting… Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 11:28-30.
“Is your life a winsome and attractive testimony of the gospel? Are people outside the Kingdom… or inside the kingdom for that matter… drawn to you?
Start in the mirror rather than the microscope.
Look in the mirror – check yourself – before looking in the microscope – digging into the lives of those around you.
It’s good to know ourselves – it helps with not becoming prideful. Romans 12:3
Psalm 51 is a beautiful story of repentance and humility by King David
When you know who you really are it will give you grace and humility to walk with others.
“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as YOU wish to be.”
-Thomas a’ Kempis
Conclusion
I love the paraphrase of this text by Eugene Peterson…
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
-Mother Teresa
Questions for Reflections:
- Imagine Jesus having a conversation with you about judging others. What does Jesus say to you?
- Be honest. Who do you tend to judge? What actions can you take to stop your habit of judging?
- Take some time and identify what you tend to project onto others. When does it occur? What hurt resides deep in your heart that influences you?
- Are there relationship in your life where there is brokenness and forgiveness is needed?
- What is one way that you can incorporate generous living in the coming week?
