Not Judging Others

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

February 27, 2022

in Spritual Growth

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8th Sunday of Epiphany
Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines
Feb.27, 2022

Readings: Jeremiah 7:1-7
1 Corinthians:50-58
Luke 6:39-49

One of the greatest gifts we have received from God is His presence in us. With His presence comes also His fullness because He has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness. But unfortunately, many times we don’t see ourselves in the life of God. We have allowed the world to take away from us the gifts He has given us. God has given us freedom which cannot be taken away. The mystery is that God will reveal things to us. With His presence in us, there should come responsibility. We have been taught by the world that Christianity is low class. That we are not blessed. If we truly understand the principles of God, we can teach our children the right way. Just like a baby who has to learn how to do things on his own. There will be the struggle in the beginning. He might even have to experience pain. But if he keeps on going, he will get it. Our strength is in God, and we must be aware of this.

Luke 6:39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?” Jesus here is speaking about the world teaching the wrong way and this way is falling apart. If we bite into that blindness, we will find ourselves in trouble. God speaks to us. He guides us. He tells us what is right and what is wrong. Luke 6:40 “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” We are not greater than God but we will be like God if we walk according to His standards. Luke 6:41 “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?” As man, we have many faults. Most of the time when we see something that is irritating in a person, it’s because we are guilty of having those flaws. When we judge others, we are even more guilty than the one who is judging or condemning us. This is a major problem in politics today. One politician judging or condemning another politician. If Christ is in us, then we should be able to bring forth good fruit. A good tree will produce and bear fruit. The commitment we have for Christ should be seen in our lives. Whatever God has given us, out of the tree of goodness we should bring forth good fruit.

“Why do you call me Lord when you do not do the things I say?” If we are obedient to His commandments, we will be healed when we are sick. How we live our lives on a daily basis determines we are true Christians or not. “I can be what God wants me to be” should be our battle cry. There is no such thing as “I can’t” in the kingdom of God. We can live a life that is overcoming and victorious if we step out in faith and do what God wants us to do. It’s like building a house. We need to make sure it is built on rock and not on sand. If it is built on rock, then it will be stable and its foundation strong because it has been deeply dug. In our lives, we should be building on solid rock and not sinking sand if we want to be secure. Love is the most powerful tool. Instead of fighting back with people who oppose us, we love instead. We need to face the issues and not run away from them. When problems come, we face them head on. The pathway has been set for us to be like him. We have been pre-destined from the very beginning.