The Man in the Mirror

#SelfExamination #SelfDiscipline #LivingFaith

There are several ways in which Christians can get off to a poor start on making an impact for the Kingdom of God. First among them is to do anything outside of the Holy Spirit’s power. The second is to be outward focused versus inward-focused about making disciples. The discipleship journey starts off with self and then expands to others we relate to.

Jesus speaks to this very issue as He closes the famed Sermon on the Mount. Jesus speaks on judging others and encourages people not to stop judging others, as often quoted by those offended by accountability and the truth of the Gospel. No, Jesus makes it a standard to start with the individual who is staring at us every morning in the mirror.

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, 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 brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:1-6, NASB)

The first item to account for is that Jesus Christ makes it clear that to judge others is to open ourselves to accountability and an equal measure of judgment. This is also followed by the meat of the argument made by our Lord. The focus of the judgment or criticism is to be heftier upon us, not anyone else. Jesus famously talks about the “speck” in our brother’s eye versus the “log” found in our eye. Leave it to Jesus Christ to use an exaggerated statement to make a point.

1. Judgment for judgment’s sake is not beneficial. The Christian life is simple and beautiful when each follower of Jesus places Him at the center of life. When the Holy Spirit is not acknowledged as the empowering source of life, there is a very real chance that our focus will be on how someone else is lacking versus how I am lacking by comparison. Comparison is always a poor scale for judgment (except when we compare ourselves to God; then we are all lost).

2. Judging starts at home. The act of examining anyone’s walk with God should start with self. How am I doing in following after God? Where am I failing to let God lead in my life? How am I doing in putting others’ needs ahead of my own? The list of questions can go on and on, but the simple truth is evident. Each one of us should constantly take inventory of our standing before God, considering others more than ourselves, and seeking to display God’s power through our everyday lives. This is only achievable through the Holy Spirit’s leadership and power.

3. Godly judgment requires clarity of vision and understanding. Look at the manner in which Jesus lays out the question. In short, how can you assert the fault in someone else, if you cannot assert your own faults? When our own perception of reality is not accurate or trustworthy to examine our failures, how can each one of us presume to judge aptly when it comes to our brothers and sisters in the faith? When we open the door to keep someone else accountable and examine their life, we must be willing to receive the same in kind. Grace, kindness, and compassion go a long way; starting with the man or woman in the mirror.

4. Avoid hypocrisy at all costs. We must remember that as Paul makes the case in Romans 3, there is no one who is righteous, except God. We must contend that because we are human beings, we are prone to falling short and even in our redemption we must guard ourselves against hypocritical tendencies. How do we move forward? It is simple; show the fruit of the Spirit as you let God work through your life. - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Let these abound by acknowledging that in this Christian faith there is more to be gained as a servant than a judge.

The Christian life is rewarding when God takes lead and the followers of Jesus walk after Him. The common denominator is that in our accountability we must avoid being hypocrites, thinking we have it all together when the only one who has it together sustains us as one body. May we be found as faithful servants, whose heart is on keeping self in check, versus keeping others in check for notoriety's sake.