Boomeranging

It is much easier to fit in with the world around us than it is to stand out and live differently as Jesus called us to do.  But as true disciples of Christ we know that our lives will be more blessed when we follow His instructions. The lifestyle that Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount is the complete opposite of what is accepted and expected in the world we live in.

Jesus began His message by saying, “You have heard it said”….. and then added, “But I say.”  He made it very clear that His ways are not the world’s ways and His instructions for His followers will be radically different from world views, which will make us stand out as beacons of hope and light to others.

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.  Matthew 7: 1-3

When Jesus said not to judge He was rebuking the hypocritical, judgemental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. He tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. We often feel a perverse pleasure in bringing someone down. But, often the faults that bother us in others are the very traits we dislike about ourselves. Our bad habits and behaviors are the very ones that we most want to point out in others.

Today’s passage is taken from the Message translation and you can easily picture in your mind a boomerang being thrown out and before you know it, it has circled around and is headed right back at you. Is it’s return going to bring good or harm? Are your words going to return positively or negatively?

The bible tells us that Samuel’s words did not fall to the ground. That meant that his words were true and trustworthy. What a wonderful thing to be said about your characater. How will your words circle back to you? Will they be trustworthy? True? Encouraging? Non judgemental?

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2