A Lesson From a Runt

Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

A Christian once visited a farmer to talk to him about Christ. "I wouldn't come to church up there." the farmer said. "I know old so and so (insert a name) church goer who claims to be a Christian and So and So (insert another name) church goer who claims to be a Christian and they don't live any differently from me. I'm as good as they are."

Everywhere the farmer went he told about the hypocrites in that church. Months passed and the Christian went to see the farmer again. "I want to buy a hog", said the Christian. The farmer showed all his best hogs to him. Then they came to the runt. "I believe I will take that one," the Christian said. "But you don't want that one. He's the worst runt to the litter," the farmer replied.

"I sure do" said the Christian. So they loaded the runt in the truck. "Now," said the Christian, "what if I take this pig here from your farm and ride all over this area telling folks that this is the kind of hogs you raise?"

"That's not fair!" the farmer exclaimed. "I have some nice hogs and you want to show people that runt?!"

To which the Christian replied, "If it's fair for the church it's fair for the hogs!"

We are guilty of this many times ourselves and are like the world when it comes to our judging the church, aren't we? As the above story so aptly illustrates, we and people of the world misjudge the church by pointing to hypocrites and acting as if all Christians are like them. We are quick are to do this. But often we do not treat others the same way. When you see only the weaknesses in the life of your Christian brethren and fail to see their good points, are you not doing the same thing the world does?

So then, go out and do right. Live right. Sin not...and above all, be not your brother's judge. Leave the judging to our Lord!

Dear Lord, we ask You today that we would not talk about others and tear them down. Help us not compare ourselves with other. We pray that we would not judge. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.