Learning Center - Women's Bible Studies

Speck verses Plank
by Rev. Tina McGehee

Do you know when you accept Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Savior; you are washed clean as snow? Yes, it is that fast because once God forgives all your past sins, the slate is clean. You become His child and can call upon Him as Abba Father. Abba is the Aramaic word for daddy. What an awesome daddy we have! (Romans 8:15).

As I sit here thinking about God and His wonderful love I can’t help but think about the other side of things: The people side. People are so interesting, aren’t they? God will give us His love and forgiveness but many people won’t. They sit in judgment of others because of their past mistakes or because they are different.

Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” He also says “Hypocrite! First remove the speck from your eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

In other words, if you are judging someone with hate, anger and disdain, you are going to be judged the same way by God. Do you really want to be judged like that? Wow! That is powerful and scary, don’t you agree? The words “you reap what you sow” takes special meaning here, don’t they?

I think about that scripture all the time. We are all going to stand before Him when we die and be accountable for our lives. I don’t want God to judge me like that, do you? And friends, here’s a certainty: God will judge each of us.

All humans are going to sin, no one is without sin. That is a fact of life. I hear this all the time: “Oh, but I don’t sin. I’m a good person; I go to church on Sunday, I volunteer at the hospital, blah, blah, blah.” Hogwash! A sin is a sin in God’s eyes. It doesn’t matter if you have an abortion, kill someone or have an adulterous affair: All of these things are sins.

“Oh, but Pastor, those are terrible sins. I’ve never done that. I only tell little white lies so I don’t hurt anyone.” People, a little white lie is a sin in God’s eyes. He doesn’t discriminate. It is on the same level as the sins above.

Some of you may never have done any of those things but you have unforgiveness in your hearts. Some of you are malicious and boastful. Some of you are disobedient to your parents and you think it is okay. Paul tells us in Romans 1:31, that all of these sins are deserving of death. Isn’t that a surprise?! And, as long as you continue to do these things, you will bring death to your spirit.

Paul warns us “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are, who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1) That is a very powerful rebuke!

Therefore, we must be careful and not allow these sins to creep into our spirits. If you fall into these categories, it is time to make a correction in your life. Forgive that person who hurt you, Forget about someone else’s mistakes and concentrate on yourself. Only then can you begin the process of restoration and healing.

Life is very short and you never know when you will face death. It is imperative that you ask God to forgive you. You say “Pastor Tina, how do I do this?” It is very easy. It starts by acknowledging you are a sinner, asking Jesus Christ to forgive you and to come into your life. He will. Soon you will feel a release in your Spirit and the Lord will begin to do His work in you.

I know this message was heavy but the time for restoration is here. God wants people to get right. He desires that all be saved. That’s why He sent Jesus into this world. We all know the scripture John 3:16 but we also need to know John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Think about it, ponder those words and call upon Him and you will be saved. It is up to you. God gives each of us free will to do whatever we want. Choose Him and you will find liberty and blessings that you never imagined. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” That is my abba (daddy) speaking to each of you. He too, can be your abba (daddy). Go for it, He’s a great Father!

God Bless each of you reading this. If you would like me to pray with you please use the prayer request form.

In Christ's Love,

Reverend Tina McGehee