Can You See Clearly? Unload Your Logs Here!

"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." Matthew 7:2-5 (NASB)

I was walking with a friend yesterday and she began talking about this verse. She was sharing how the Lord had brought the verse to mind when she was upset with someone else's "speck". How many of us are walking around with logs sticking out of our eyes, logs that are obvious to everyone else, but not to us? The beginning of this verse reminds us that with the measure that we judge others, we also will be judged. Ouch! How often do I hear myself complaining about someone else's behavior without examining my own?

Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." We can barrel down the road of life with planks and logs sticking out of our eyes, but it seems to me that as Matthew 7, verse 5 says, "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." I really want to see clearly, don't you? And according to this verse, we cannot see clearly unless we are continually examining ourselves. Most of us do not want to look at who we are and I am convinced that this is what leads to the wickedness and selfishness in the world. We have become very good at convincing ourselves that we are okay; it's everyone else who is out of wack.

We must take a good look at ourselves! We must daily compare ourselves to our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV)

When we lived in Southern California, we had season passes to Disneyland. We used to go for a few hours on Sunday evenings when the lines were not very long! One of our favorite rides was the "log" ride Splash Mountain. Although we enjoyed the whole ride, the favorite part for most of us was the big downhill slide after which your log would bump along many turns sloshing water up into the log until you finally finished where you started. Above the unloading area hung a large wooden sign which read, "Unload Your Logs Here!" Well, as a family we loved to laugh together, and for some reason that sign made us laugh! We will still repeat the words of that sign at appropriate moments for a laugh. But all laughter aside, as believers we must "Unload Our Logs Here". Where is here? At the foot of the Cross...

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:21 (NASB)

Your job is to examine yourself; His job is to faithfully complete the good work which He began in you. The Bible says, "Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalm 37:5 (NASB) and "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV).

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV)

Dear Lord, I commit my way to You and I trust in You! I know that You are the Author and Perfecter of my faith and that You are faithful to complete the good work You began in me. Teach me to examine myself in the light of Your word and lead me in the way everlasting.