0386. First, Cast Out the Beam Out of Thine Own Eye

First, Cast Out the Beam Out of Thine Own Eye

"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye" (Mat_7:5).

1. This passage is applicable to Christians. There are many Christians who forget the admonition: "Attend to your own business:" they are given to judging others. Their judgment is usually severe, and greatly biased. They who are most given to judging others, are themselves most wrong.

It is a matter of the kettle calling the pot black, or of the hunchback making light of the slightly stooped.

Christ laid down a law for those who judge others. Some men brought a woman, who was a sinner, before Him, seeking His condemnation. Christ said: "Let him that is without sin among you, cast the first stone at her." These men went away convicted in their own consciences.

The core of the whole matter lies in that wicked spirit which condemns another and justifies one’s self. When Nathan told David of the man who took and killed the one little lamb of his neighbor’s, sparing his own big flock; David said: "The man shall surely be put to death." Just so. But when Nathan said to David, "Thou art the man," then David sought and secured the forgiveness of his sins. Toward another he had no mercy; toward himself he desired all mercy.

2. There is another great lesson here for us. After we have the beam out of our own eye, God wants us to go and get the mote out of our brother’s eye.

Remember the infallible rule: First get right yourself, and then help to get your brother right.

David knew the importance of all this when he said: "Create within me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me, then shall I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee."

Illustration: A minister is said to have urged the Christians to do personal work among his audience. Thus urged a prominent man in the city walked down the aisle and said to a personal business friend, "Come and go up and give the minister your hand, and become a Christian." The friend immediately said: "Go yourself." The man chagrined, went back to his seat. When the evangelist asked him how he had succeeded, he replied: "Preacher, I’m not adapted to do personal work."

And no one is adapted to help others, while they have beams in their own eyes.

Illustration: A lady began to speak to an unsaved man about his soul’s welfare. The man said: "Madam, do you dance?" She responded, "No, sir." "Do you play cards, or go to the theater?" She said, "No, sir." "Then," said he, "you can talk to me."

Only those who are clean vessels are "prepared for the Master’s use."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR