Why is it a problem for you if others strain at your gnats? Would you have gnats buzzing around your head? Would you not rather be free from such carnal annoyances? Can you not give thanks to God for such laborers? You don't have to pay them anything! If others are willing to strain at them for you (free of charge) and make you better then why not accept it with joy and have peace with yourself?
"But there are no gnats", you say! Well, if that is true, then what harm can you suffer by them straining at the air?
What is important, is that your speck is removed and that you help others see their logs by not getting offended when they take notice of your speck. In fact, if you take offense at their labors, then the gnat they are straining at has lighted upon a log! For it is hypocrisy to be uncharitable towards another's lack of charity towards you.
"Pursue peace, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord".
"Pursue peace with all men, as much as it lies within you".
Some see a log; while others looking at the same thing see a speck. Still others see nothing. These opinions are irrelevant. What does God see? If you walk in the Spirit, that is what God sees.
When emotions are heated and stirred by injustice, trials, etc, are you able to admit your faults, agree with sound correction, and admit room for improvement?
A speck is still a speck. A justified speck, however, becomes a log and many have established a speck removal industry when they should have built a sawmill!
No comments:
Post a Comment
“Reason dictates that persons who are truly noble and who love wisdom will honor and love only what is true. They will refuse to follow traditional viewpoints if those viewpoints are worthless...Instead, a person who genuinely loves truth must choose to do and speak what is true, even if he is threatened with death...I have not come to flatter you by this written petition, nor to impress you by my words. I have come to simply beg that you do not pass judgment until you have made an accurate and thorough investigation. Your investigation must be free of prejudice, hearsay, and any desire to please the superstitious crowds. As for us, we are convinced that you can inflict no lasting evil on us. We can only do it to ourselves by proving to be wicked people. You can kill us—but you cannot harm us.” From Justin Martyr's first apology 150 A.D. Martyred A.D. 160