The Measure You Use

A great and very convicting time was had as I read God's word this morning. God disciplines and challenges us because he loves us so much. Learning and applying God's word is a step by step process, and is often a conviction by conviction process!

Luke 6:36-38 says, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

There is a lot of scripture to learn to apply to our lives here. Each statement comes with a need to sacrifice of our flesh.

I believe God wants to convey to us His heart as these scriptures are supported by two bookends - loving your enemies, and removing a plank. Learning to love our enemies as well as removing planks are spoken to us on a very personal level. God is not so much as trying to teach the person NEXT to you through these powerful passages, as he is trying to teach YOU!

As we break down these scriptures, we have concrete steps that we need to take. These steps may take a life time to take as with each one, challenges will be faced and our willingness to sacrifice and obey will be revealed.

The steps are pretty simple - take one at a time. Be merciful. Do not judge. Do not condemn. Forgive. Give.

Removing planks can be very humbling. Trying to remove sawdust from someone else before it is time for you to can be ever so hurtful. Loving your enemies is one of our greatest tests. Without application, hypocrisy is revealed and our true love for God is not evident.

Put into practice the golden rule found in verse 31, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."