PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS
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Have you ever found yourself looking back at some historical event and thinking that the people involved in whatever happened should have known something that seems commonplace today? We all do this. We assume that because the knowledge needed for those people to make a better decision seems common and normal for those living in our time, we feel that they certainly should have been able to figure out a better way if they were as smart as we are today.
As a people, we struggle to see other people from their perspective. We are so wrapped up in our own lives and our own way of living that we become blind to the reasons and causes for other people’s actions.
- Why is that lady driving so slow? She must be such a bad driver that she needs to get off the road. Meanwhile, her check engine light is on, and she thinks she smells smoke.
- Why does that person not go to church on Sunday? They must not love the Lord like I do. Meanwhile, they have to work all weekend in order to pay the bills for a sick family member.
Jesus Christ warns us against these kinds of unfounded assumptions about the heart and motives of others. He calls us to see our own areas of mess first before we share our assumptions about another person’s struggle and cause them to struggle even more.
Listen to how Jesus spoke to this issue in the passages that follow:
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Luke 6:37-38 NIV11)
41 “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? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
(Luke 6:41-42 NIV11)
Verse 37
- Do you want to be judged unfairly by others?
- Do you like it when people make assumptions about why you did one thing and not another?
- How does it make you feel to know that other people are watching you and drawing all kinds of unfounded conclusions about your character based on the tiny sliver of your life to which they have access?
Like Jesus’ teaching that is often called the golden rule, we need to see that the Lord is calling us to treat people the way that we would like to be treated. This includes our unfounded snap decisions about others. It includes our willingness to forgive offenses and let stuff go when others ask.
If we want to be treated more fairly, then we must lead by example.
Verse 38
Have you ever questioned why the Lord has not provided you with what your heart desires (in the moment)? Why does God not shower blessings on me when I ask?
- Again, are you someone the Lord can trust to act with generosity when he has blessed you in the past?
- Do you tithe to your church?
- Do you share with those in need?
- Do you give your time to the Lord and serve others in the name of Jesus?
If you are a black hole for blessing, do not be shocked when the Lord withholds some gift that you feel you must have. Learn to be a blessing with what you have, and you will discover that the Lord’s generosity is limitless.
Verses 41-42
Jesus nails it. Do not be a hypocrite. Do not be someone who expects (demands) perfection from your spouse, your kids, your co-workers, teammates, and even your preacher. You are not perfect, and your blindness to your own mess is causing your witness for Christ to become an offensive odor to those around you.
Jesus made the point of saying that we can help the person in our life who is struggling with sin and imperfection, after we acknowledge our own need.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me not be a hypocrite. I do not want to be a judgmental jerk toward those you have called me to be a blessing. Help me bring you my areas of mess and need so that I can heal and become stronger. Help me learn from my own failures and be a humble servant as I go out in your name today. Thank you, Jesus.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
Worked at MTN. CHURCH
Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church
Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Studied at Baylor University
Studied at Texas Tech University
Went to Castle Hills First Baptist
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