Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

The Lord Jesus was speaking a parable to his disciples. “Can the blind lead the blind?” he asked. “Shall they not both fall into the ditch ?” (Luke 6:39)

And then he asked them a hypothetical question: Why do we behold the mote that is in some- one elses eye, but do not perceive the beam that is in our own eye? (V.41)

When we do this, Jesus said we are hypocrites. We should first cast out the beam of wood from our own eye. Then we will see clearly to take out the splinter of wood from our brother’s eye. (V.42)

The Bible tells us that it is inexcusable for us to judge others for their faults. When we do this, we condemn ourself because we are doing the same things. (Romans 2:1)

Someone has made the observation that, when we point the finger of criticism at anyone, the three fingers that are bent are pointing back to ourselves. So, by criticizing another, and pointing the finger to find fault with another, we lay ourselves open to three times as much criticism of ourselves.

There is an allegory about a man who was complaining to an angel. His neighbors were so wretched that he couldn’t stand to be around them.

“Is it really so?” asked the angel who was walking with him.

“It is indeed,” said the man. “Just look at this fellow coming toward us. His cruel eyes and mean disposition give him away.”

The angel then pointed out to him that they were approaching a looking glass. 0, to see ourselves as others see us!