512 -- Time to Log Out

July 5 (7/5) in Godsfield -- Matthew 7:5

(For Better or Verse: Each day in 2025 I will begin this Godsfield e-mail with a Bible verse that corresponds with the month (chapter 1-12) and day (verse 1-31) it is sent. This month features a lot of seventh chapters! Those with eyes and ears, let them see and hear.)

Matthew 7:5 — You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Okay, this one does not get cross-stitched to hang on the kitchen wall, but I might write it on a post-it note and stick it to my bathroom mirror.s

It's an easy verse to apply to other people, but by definition, a hard one to see in myself.

I mean, if there is a plank in my eye, how can I expect to see anything clearly, and how will I know it is a plank unless I can see it, which I can't, since there is a plank in my eye? (By the way, I grew up hearing "log in your eye," which I thought was more organic, more visually graphic, but that's just me.)

It is a remarkable teaching, not hard to see, in others, but unsettling, because of, well, that log. That is why Jesus has to use the word hypocrite, to break through the log that also is in my ear, because it is much easier to apply the hard teachings to others, while ignoring myself.

That is why scoffers complain about all the hypocrites in church; they see logs (in other people's eyes) and point them out as reasons their own logs don't need attention.

And how are the logs removed, anyway? Jesus doesn't say how in this verse, but it is not hard to see that by the persuasion of the Holy Spirit we are shown, where before we were blind.

I see because of the wonderful, amazing gift of grace; ironically, that log of self-deception comes out by seeing, by recognizing, by being shown, by the awareness from the Spirit.

I don't remove the log myself; I just let go of it.

Okay, God, I am ready to log out now!

Love ya,

Paul