“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3-4 (NIV)
While driving to work one day, a cell phone in my right hand and my left hand on the steering wheel, I came upon a line of slow moving cars. There wasn’t any reason for traffic to move slowly except the lead car was traveling around forty miles per hour.
“I don’t believe this,” I said to my husband on the other end of the phone. “This person has three cars delayed because they refuse to drive the speed limit.” I couldn’t wait to find a passing zone on the rural farm-to-market road. Looking in the rear view mirror, I saw another fast moving car approach. “Make it four cars,” I said, as the car behind me accelerated and passed all four automobiles.
“What is he doing? That’s crazy! He’s in a no passing zone and near a hill. I hope he reaches his destination without killing himself or someone else.”
Less than two minutes later, I took the opportunity to pass; however, I was in another no passing zone and near an even steeper hill. I had been so quick to judge the other driver, and then I did something worse.
It caused me to think about times I’ve judged other Christians. I have looked upon their sin as being worse than my own. After all, I’ve not committed murder, but at times, how many times have I been angry with a sister or brother in Christ?. I’ve never been guilty of armed robbery, but what about the paper clip I “borrowed” and never returned from my employer?
Jesus tells us only when we first take the plank out of our own eye, will we be able to see the speck in our brother’s eye. I have come to realize there will always be planks in my eye. However unintentional, in my sinful nature, I will commit sin. Other Christians will sin, but through His grace we are forgiven.
Since that morning, I’ve seen that same slow moving automobile several times and I’m reminded to always remove the plank from my eye.
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