Get the Plank OUT!

ROMANS 2

Love the ‘moxy’ of Paul, there is no denying who he’s talking to and he’s not pulling any punches! This chapter of Romans is a call out to you and to me, to use Matthew 7:1-5

Hearing the echos of Matthew 7:1-5 in Paul’s words it’s time to “check the log” before we hunt for splinters. Or, from the old school day’s you’d have to bring back some Ice Cube and Das Effects “you better check yourself before you wreck yourself...” (clean version of course)

I think it’s easy for us to do the head nod when we here others called out for things like Paul did in the end of Romans (1:18-32), idol worship, murder, homosexual practices, violent people, faithless, greedy, arrogant, envy and the list goes on. We love to point our crooked finger in that direction but fail to look into the mirror and see that it’s really a picture of us that we see--OUCH! vs. 1 “you are condemning yourself, because you pass judgement on them and yet you do the same things.”

Hypocrisy is one of the single most dangerous tools the enemy uses against Jesus-Followers. For those who follow Jesus can never point fingers of judgement at others. That doesn’t mean we approve or condone activities that we see and know are against what God desires but we let our life be an example that speaks on our behalf. We check our heart to make sure that it is right and pure. We cry out like David, “create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right Spirit with in me...”

How is your life a mirror and reflection of God’s love? Discuss with your family the hurt and hindrance pointing fingers and judging people that are different than us can cause and talk about how your family can be sure to check their heart and motivation for all we say and do.