Articles
Before We Criticize
As I drove off after picking up my friend, the “ding-ding-ding” warning sounded. I said to him, “Seatbelt, Brother.” He said, “I have my seatbelt on.” I looked. He did. I didn’t. I had a good laugh over that!
►There’s a lesson in that
How human it is to be more conscious of others’ perceived faults than our own. “Why,” Jesus asked, “do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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 7:3-5).
►Big I, little you
The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.”
God was not impressed.
But the tax collector, standing nearby, humbly confessed, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” It was that man who went home a forgiven man, Jesus said, while the Pharisee did not (Luke 18:9-14).
►The attitude God can bless
Humility goes a long way with God.
Pride gets us nowhere.
