“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5 ESV)
It’s Saturday and I have a confession to make. More than once I have gone on an early morning store run in my pajamas. Oh, they look like high quality workout pants, and I have on the proper undergarments, and I hide my sleep t-shirt with a college hooded sweatshirt. But let’s face it. They were still my pajamas. I was joking with my wife one day and pointed to my attire before I got out of bed and said, “Pajamas!” Immediately after labeling my attire “Pajamas,” I jumped out of bed and pointed to my attire and called them “Casual Wear, suitable for making a store run. But again, let’s face it. They were still my pajamas.
God forgive me! For years I have been condemning, critical of individuals who hit the streets in what I called, yes, “Pajamas.” I was critical I was judgmental. The individuals I saw were completely comfortable, but I was just critical. And here I am, especially doing this pandemic, doing the very same thing and not being self-critical, and in the eyes of some who might have saw me, I was being hypocritical. It was okay for me to justify my quick change, yes quick change, faster than a speeding bullet and by the time I put on my pandemic mask and hat, you could even tell my real identity! But still, shame on me! Pajamas? Now this true story may be humorous in view of my holiness, but hopefully it is just as helpful.
You see even preachers need to focus on the verses above and/or even the one below. I will have to keep getting better and stop finding fault, stop being judgmental – and at the same time, make sure I personally stay within the standards of high morale, modesty, most definitely cleanliness. Have a great Saturday and an even better day on Sunday when you gather together with the saints of God. Hint: Don’t wear your pajamas! Smile! Be blessed!
“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.” (Galatians 6:1 MSG)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King