Forgiveness, plank and speck.
Part 1
Forgiveness is a journey fraught with challenges that many find difficult to navigate. It often requires revisiting painful memories, which can be both stressful and exhausting. Since 2015, I have experienced this firsthand. In a time of desperation, I had no choice but to cry out to God, and He began to reopen old wounds. During this time, I sought forgiveness from others, but many turned away, unwilling to engage. Initially, I couldn't understand their reactions. However, as I began to heal, I realised their responses were rooted in their own past hurts and fears. Accepting forgiveness can sometimes trigger their own pain, making it easier for them to walk away rather than face it.
When a Christian is not dealing with old wounds, the wounds become bigger and bigger, until one day your life has erupted. If you place a Mentos into a bottle of Coke, the reaction causes the Coke to explode. If the lid is on, the Coke will build so much pressure that it will have to explode. That is the same as our own lives. If we don't deal with wounds, it will continue to build pressure and then one day you will explode. Many Christians are afraid of the unknown of what could happen rather than trusting in God? Because of this, they look at someone else's sin rather than their own. I was one of those people, quick to judge at every opportunity; I looked at other Christians and thought, how could they be doing this and worship God as well? Behind closed doors, I was not the man I was portraying at church. I didn't realise how big my wound was; I was trying to cover everything up by sinning even more and before you know it, my volcano erupted and destroyed my life around me and I became homeless. Before you know it, everybody was looking at my life, people directly and indirectly involved. The very judgement I gave, I received.
That brings me to my next point: I have noticed that those who are not directly involved are often quick to pass judgment on the lives and sins of others, much like the Pharisees would do. This judgment can only add to the burden of those who are seeking forgiveness, making the whole process even more daunting. Receiving forgiveness and healing has proven to be a challenging task due to the constant presence of individuals who were indirectly involved, which creates obstacles along the way. It serves as a reminder that forgiveness is not solely about the act itself, but also about understanding the complex emotions and histories that each person brings to the table. Throughout this journey, I have come to learn that empathy and patience are essential, from both perspectives - the one who observes and the one who seeks forgiveness. By recognizing that everyone has their own struggles and fears, we can approach forgiveness with a heart that is more compassionate and understanding, rather than passing judgment on those who are in need of healing and forgiveness.
Based on my personal experiences, I can vividly relate to the powerful metaphor Jesus employs in Matthew 7:3 to highlight the hypocrisy of judging others while disregarding our own faults. The imagery of a "speck" in our brother's eye signifies a minor flaw or sin, while the depiction of a "plank" in our own eye signifies a much larger, more significant fault. This heightened language serves to emphasise the absurdity of criticising others when we ourselves possess even greater shortcomings. Jesus' teachings underscore the importance of self-awareness and self-correction as prerequisites to offering guidance to others. Reflecting on my journey, I recall lacking self-awareness regarding spiritual matters for many years. Being a literal thinker, I would readily condemn and pass judgment on those engaged in sinful behaviour, with little sympathy, as I approached the Bible from a religious standpoint rather than with empathy and compassion. However, as I began prioritizing self-reflection and acknowledging my own flaws and seeking healing. I gradually cultivated humility and adopted a more compassionate approach when addressing the faults of others.
This verse paints a vibrant picture of the importance of reflection and personal growth within the Christian faith. It encourages believers to take a deep look within themselves and make necessary changes before pointing out the flaws of others. This process of self-examination evokes a profound sense of repentance and transformation, aligning one's life more closely with the teachings of Christ. As we confront our own "planks," we become better equipped to assist others with their "specks," enveloped in a spirit of love and understanding, rather than judgment and condemnation.
Conclusion:
As I reflect on my journey, I am struck by the vivid imagery Jesus employs in Matthew 7:3 to emphasise the hypocrisy of judging others while neglecting our own flaws. In this verse, the importance of self-awareness and self-correction as prerequisites for offering guidance to others becomes clear. Through my own experiences, I have come to understand that empathy and patience are indispensable in the process of forgiveness. The scent of understanding fills the air as I recognise everyone carries their own burdens and fears. This realisation allows me to approach forgiveness with a heart that is more compassionate and understanding. This transformative journey has taught me that true healing emanates from within as we align our lives with the teachings of Christ. The scene is set with a backdrop of love and understanding, replacing judgment and condemnation.
