Daily Scripture: Matthew 7:1 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For the way you judge others is how you will be judged — the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you. 3 Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s eye but not notice the log in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you have the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye; then you will see clearly, so that you can remove the splinter from your brother’s eye!
12 “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah and the Prophets.
Reflection QuestionsJesus challenged our tendency to judge others, while overlooking or excusing any tendency on our part to do similar (or even worse) things. That is destructive and hurtful enough in families or workplaces. Taken into the realm of politics, it seems to go on steroids. Then Jesus added the positive side of the command with what we call the Golden Rule: “You should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you.”
- In what ways do you believe Jesus' words apply to our local, state or national political “family”? Can you recall a campaign in which two candidates disagreed about the best approaches to issues, yet did so with respect and without implicitly (or explicitly) claiming that the other person is an unpatriotic, dishonest slime ball? If candidates did that, do you believe their supporters (including you) might follow suit?
- At times Christians act as if the Golden Rule just means “Be ‘nice’” in surface-y, social ways. Not so—sometimes treating others as we would wish to be treated challenges us deeply. What people or conditions make it hardest for you to treat others as you’d wish to be treated? Jesus linked the Rule to words from Leviticus 19:18: “you must love your neighbor as yourself.” How can you discern how best to live the Rule in ways that bless others while retaining healthy boundaries and self-care?
Lord, you lived your earthly life in the unforced rhythms of grace, never imposing yourself on others, yet always seeking to draw even your enemies. Teach me today how to live more and more that way. Amen.
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Nicole Alison serves as Coordinating Assistant to Operations at The Church of the Resurrection. Nicole finds her voice through writing. In her spare time she is a personal blogger and a ghost-writer for the Next Steps Pastor at a local church in Lenexa. Her passion is to share the love of Jesus through personal stories of redemption.Wow! Today’s devotion really struck a chord with me. In the midst of politics and issues that divide, I’m raising a 10-year-old boy who is learning how to fit in and be kind when kids at school can be mean. There are times he tells me the names he is called and how it makes him feel, and my mothering heart is breaking as I wonder what in the world can I do. I need do exactly what the devotion directs us to–be kind, yet have healthy boundaries. In reality I want to give those kids bullying my child a piece of my mind.
I remember telling my son that he didn’t have to be friends with everyone, but he needed to be kind to everyone. And I remember him looking at me like I was nuts. How could he pull that off, when someone is making him feel bad? How could he still be kind? As he looked at me with bewilderment, I had to really dig deep inside. After all, as we can see in politics and the tough topics, it is really hard to see someone beyond what they say or do. It’s really hard sometimes to imagine that the person we disagree with has a heart, and they are valuable to God.
For some reason 1 John 4:4 keeps replaying in my mind. “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” I have been leaning into this verse lately. Because in times of opposition I can lean on the Spirit who lives in me and gives me strength–the Spirit who has already overcome.
I can tell my son that he can rely on who He is in Christ. He can extend kindness to others because that Spirit lives within Him–the character and amazing love of Jesus. All the good things of Him can be found in us if we believe it and choose it. In the day-to-day it can be hard to remember that the power of the Spirit is available within us. But how comforting is it to have these very things to call upon within ourselves:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
I think when we let the fruit of the Spirit lead us, we will always know how to respond to opposition because it will be done in a way that will glorify God.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
I remember telling my son that he didn’t have to be friends with everyone, but he needed to be kind to everyone. And I remember him looking at me like I was nuts. How could he pull that off, when someone is making him feel bad? How could he still be kind? As he looked at me with bewilderment, I had to really dig deep inside. After all, as we can see in politics and the tough topics, it is really hard to see someone beyond what they say or do. It’s really hard sometimes to imagine that the person we disagree with has a heart, and they are valuable to God.
For some reason 1 John 4:4 keeps replaying in my mind. “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” I have been leaning into this verse lately. Because in times of opposition I can lean on the Spirit who lives in me and gives me strength–the Spirit who has already overcome.
I can tell my son that he can rely on who He is in Christ. He can extend kindness to others because that Spirit lives within Him–the character and amazing love of Jesus. All the good things of Him can be found in us if we believe it and choose it. In the day-to-day it can be hard to remember that the power of the Spirit is available within us. But how comforting is it to have these very things to call upon within ourselves:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
I think when we let the fruit of the Spirit lead us, we will always know how to respond to opposition because it will be done in a way that will glorify God.
---------------------
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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