But, anyway - on to today's reading/journaling. There were a lot of heavy, or heavily debated concepts in today's passages. At the onset, there was some teaching about anonymous generosity - which can be difficult for me because in order to get a good EPR (annual performance report that directly affects how competitive I am for promotion in the Air Force), I need to be doing things like volunteering and donating. So, I have to toot my own horn a little bit. There was a bunch about Jesus' early ministry miracles - all of the sick people He healed, the demons He cast down, and sins He forgave. But, I think the thing that hit home the most for me, was actually Jesus' teaching on judging people in Matthew 7.
Matthew 7:1-2, "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..."
This paragraph of scripture goes on for three more verses, and those verses talk more about not being a hypocrite but stay in line with judging people. But, I think the concept here is pretty simple: God will use the same measure of judgement that you judge other people by to judge you. And, this makes sense to me, to be honest. I mean, what better standard for someone to grade another person on than the standard by which they hold dear and judge other by?
This verse says two things to me:
- Don't beat someone down or berate them for not meeting your standards
- Improve yourself so that you meet your own standards
So, here is the personal application part and why this hits home: I know that I do not live up to my own standards. I do try to keep this scripture in mind every time I find myself being harsh on someone in my thoughts or words towards them (usually either driving or at work). But, at the end of the day, there is always some sort of justification that I come up with for why it was okay, this time, for me to judge that person so harshly. And here is where my struggle stems from, I think - how do we draw the line between being completely complacent in life and being judgmental? On one hand, we judge people and run the risk of getting caught in our hypocrises, or we are standing by this verse to the letter and we lose all ability to govern ourselves or others in a functional society. But here is where I think the balance can be found: create a realistic standard for YOURSELF, and leave judgement to God.
If you are in a position of authority at work, you are given a standard by which you and everyone else in that business or company is judged,
Lord, thank you for grace - all of the time, you're grace. I appreciate every second chance I get to make it right. I don't always think it consciously, but I do thank you for every morning that I get to wake up and try to do it right this time. Thank you for love. Love can be one of the most rare things in the entire world, but it is that love that keeps hope alive. And, Father, I pray for understanding. I won't pretend to comprehend or understand everything I read tonight in those chapters of Matthew, but I ask you to help me understand. Thank you. I love you. I pray for anyone and everyone who reads this - that you would bless them, give them insights into you and your word that they can apply to their own lives. In the name of Jesus, I pray all things. Amen.
As always, your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and personal journal entries on today's reading are always welcome. Just be respectful. :) Take care, and God bless!
