But First

Warriors Arise: February 3, 2024

Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Does the last sentence surprise you? The first couple of verses are a strong warning about judging others. Jesus is so intense, many have thought we should not judge at all. Then Jesus turns around and says, "First, remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." It in't that we never judge others. There is clearly an order. We can judge. Once we have judged ourselves and repented of our sin, something will have changed in us. This change is what gives us the ability to clearly see how to help another remove their speck.

What happens when we repent?

• We have to admit our wrong doing or terrible attitude.

• We have to seek the Lord to be forgiven.

• We may have to seek another to be forgiven.

• We have to make things right. Sometimes it takes more than an apology. Sometimes there is a necessary form of restitution.

• We have to honor the person or people we have wronged. If they are not ready to give us forgiveness, we can't force them. Sometimes we can have wronged people so deeply, they need time, generally a few minutes but it shouldn't take longer than a couple of says or they are now in sin. We should be praying for each one to receive God's love. Their unforgiveness toward us can, in turn, cause a separating between themselves and God and even other people.

Once we have thoroughly sought out forgiveness, we are in a position to see someone else's sin toward us or others more clearly. We can recognize underlying circumstance for their decisions or choice to sin. We can approach them with grace instead of haughtiness.

My Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. our kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in haven. I forgive those who have sinned against me. I release them. I will not hold hem captive any longer. I ask to be forgiven for my sin against others. I was wrong to have hurt them. I should not have said the things I said. I should not have done the things I did. I pray they will forgive me. I pray they will be healed from the pain I have caused them in Jesus' Name, amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy Hand

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