30th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 5v14-15)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


In my last devotion I outlined what I believed to be a Christ honouring response to James 5v14. I gave you the “nuts and bolts” of the process as I see it. But what comes after the Elders, the oil and the prayer? Is the sick person immediately and comprehensively healed of what troubles them?


Some say “yes” and they take James 5v15 to support their claim. James said “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (v15). It appears so simple…the Elders pray, anoint with oil and this “prayer of faith” sets the sick person back on solid ground. Yet, as we know all too well, not only do Christians get sick but prayers for their earthly healing seem to go unanswered and our brothers and sisters die.


What is the answer to Christians who don’t see healing on this side of glory? Was the problem that they didn’t call for the Elders? Were the Elders the problem? Didn’t the sick person have enough faith? Some well meaning Christians think that you need to firmly claim the promises of Christ. They argue that there is physical healing to be found at the cross and you simply need to grasp it for yourself. If we follow this logic then the Christian should never struggle, never grow weak and never suffer. I do not believe this to be true.


James has already told us in this letter that suffering often accompanies faith. Indeed, the Lord told us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16v33). Brothers and sisters, your health, wealth and prosperity are not dependent on the strength of your faith. Lazarus was sick and died causing Jesus to weep (John 11v35). Epaphroditus was sick and it appears Paul did not heal him (Philippians 2v25-26). Indeed, Paul had a thorn which was not lifted from him despite his pleading (2 Corinthians 12v7-10).


The so called “prayer of faith” is not an iron clad guarantee that the Elders will come and we will be physically restored. Instead, it is a prayer that looks to the Lord and trusts Him in illness and health and in life and in death. It is a prayer that cries out “Lord God if it is your will then restore me to health. But Lord if I must endure this burden, even if it leads me unto to death - restore me from the fear of death, strengthen me for the journey, equip me for the pain. Oh Lord God have mercy on me no matter what!”


As we pray with faith trusting in God’s good plan and providence we should be certain that the Lord is not deaf to our cries. We should never pray without expectancy nor should we see prayer as a meaningless task. The Lord delights to hear us pray and I am convinced that He answers even if we think He stands silent.


James says that the prayer of faith “will save” the one who is sick (v15a), the person will be raised (v15b) and if they have committed sins they will be forgiven (v15c). To pray for physical healing is one thing and by the grace of God we will see the Lord move in this regard but spiritual healing is humanity’s primary need. I am heartened when I consider that the Lord’s ministry to us is not limited to the physical but also the spiritual. He may heal us physically but He certainly will heal us spiritually. He may cause us to rise from our sick bed but He certainly will cause us to rise at the last day. He may exchange our illness for health but He certainly will exchange our sin for the righteousness of Christ.


Brothers and sisters, in the midst of life we are in death. How should we respond? Pray. The Lord is able to do abundantly more than you could ever ask or imagine and if He doesn’t remove illness from you in this life, be assured that one day He will wipe away every tear from your eyes.


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Q49 Which is the second commandment? The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

29th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matt 7:7-14 focus 13-14)


Message (Alan Burke)


For those in Christ we are to live in a way that conforms with the moral and ethical demand of the scripture. I hope that doesn’t come as a surprise to you, after all Jesus told his followers that “if you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:!5). If we bear the name of Christian, if we profess faith in Jesus Christ if we are those who ask, seek, knock and have entered the kingdom then we should live in response to that. Here Jesus drives that point home regarding entrance into the kingdom. As he does that Jesus, now gives a metaphor. He gave two options, the narrow gate with a narrow road, and a wide gate with a broad road. The narrow gate with the narrow road leads to life whereas the wide gate with a broad road leads to destruction. They stand in contrast to one another. 


The narrow gate with the narrow road that leads to life, this is the road that those who have asked have been given, those who have sought have found, those who have knocked on the door and it has been opened to them. It is the road of discipleship, but the wide road, the wide road that leads to destruction is for all who have not received the kingdom of God, who have not come in faith, who have not received the gift of the Father. 


There are many today who diminish the demands of the gospel, personal holiness doesn't matter, they have rewritten what it is to be a follower of Christ, they don't understand what it is to do to others what you would have them do to you, they are those who are making their way on the broad road. But for those who have come to salvation, who have entered the kingdom there lives have been reorientated, no longer do they live as they once did, no longer do they live as the world instead they are on the narrow path. They know that there is a cost to living as on who has come to know the kingdom, they live in response to what God has done for them in Christ Jesus, they will try to please him with their lives, the way of Christ is a narrow one, it calls us to live with kingdom values, living in any other way leads to destruction. 


The path that leads to destruction is a wide road because it has travelled by the majority of people. Look around today and there seems to be an ever increasing number of people here in this country who reject the truth of the gospel, they live without regard for the moral demands of God, and they try to lead other people to follow them, not to take the narrow path, the narrow road that leads to life put on a wide road that leads to destruction. The narrow road confines us, it imposes limits on how we are to live, it sets out how we live as those who are the followers of Christ, it places before us what is right, what is acceptable in all areas of our lives. It is a restrictive way to live, and as a result, few will choose to take, there is a cost to follow Christ, most people choose the path that means that they can live however they want, they might think that they have life, but it will lead to their destruction. 


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Q48. What are we specially taught by these words, before me,” in the first commandment?
A. These words, before me,” in the first commandment teach us, that God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.
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28th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 5v14-15)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Today we have reached some of the most controversial verses in the entire letter of James. Do these verses once more speak about the relationship between works and faith? Not quite. Instead, James urges those who are sick to call for prayer (v14). The word translated here as “sick” can indicate all manner of physical and spiritual weakness, nevertheless the “sick” person is to take the initiative. What are they to do? They are to call for the prayers of their Elders.


What does this process look like? Firstly, the one who is sick seeks out the Elders. The sickness in question is not something minor. The Elders of the church should not be inundated with requests to come and pray for granny’s ingrowing toenail. Instead, imagine the man who has been under a dark cloud of depression for many months which has caused him to contemplate suicide or perhaps the woman whose terminal illness has caused her to be wracked with severe pain throughout her body or even the person who has been robbed of their assurance of salvation and hasn’t slept in months. The sick should consider their condition and then take the initiative in calling for the Elders.


Secondly, the Elders should carefully consider each request. Just because the Elders are called to come, does not mean they should. The spiritual leaders of each fellowship should prayerfully consider the request and decide whether or not to answer it. This might seem harsh but the Elders should seek to discern if a request is genuine or not. For example, Sammy might demand prayer every week while Fionnuala believes her sprained ankle is the biggest issue in the church. Sammy and Fionnuala need to wise up.


Thirdly, if the Elders discern that the request is valid they should go and pray for the individual. I would suggest that at least three elders should attend for the simple reason that this meets the Biblical standard for truth (Ecclesiastes 4v12 & 2 Corinthians 13v1). Each Elder should pray and the person in question should be anointed with oil.


Fourthly, we might ask why oil? The oil in question isn’t magic oil which is kept in a special jar - I have used everyday ordinary olive oil in the past. Nor does the person need to covered in oil - a reasonable amount poured on the head of the person will suffice. So again, why oil? I would argue that in these rare moments the oil is symbolic and shows that we are setting aside the sick person for prayer. The fancy word is “consecration” which means to set something or someone aside. At this stage, we need to stress that the prayer is the focus here NOT the oil. The oil does not remove sin nor does it save. Furthermore, this act of prayer is NOT a Sacrament - we have two Sacraments only, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Even so, as the oil flows down upon the head of the individual we can’t help but see symbolically the work of the Holy Spirit.


Finally, all is to be done the in name of the Lord. The Lord alone can answer prayer, the Lord alone can save and the Lord alone deserves the glory. Therefore, the Elders and the one seeking prayer should have their eyes firmly fixed on Christ. The power is not ours but His.


There we have it. James says if anyone in the fellowship is sick they are to call for the Elders who will pray for them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. I think this should be a rare moment in the life of any church but equally it should be much more common than it has become in the modern church. What is the outcome of this event? We’ll discuss this in future devotions.  


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Q47 What is forbidden in the first commandment? The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying, the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.

27th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matt 7:7-14 focus 9-12)


Message (Alan Burke)


This time four weeks people all over the world will be given and exchanging gifts. Whether do you love it or hate it, whether you're wearing your Christmas jumper from June, or you would prefer to hibernate through it all it is almost here. Here Jesus illustrates what he had just said for all those who ask, who seek, who knock and he does it by making a comparison between a parent and God. None of those who Jesus spoke to would have given a hungry child a stone or a snake. 


If we ask, if we seek, if we knock then he will give us the gift of eternal life, he will not keep it from us. For as we re reminded in Psalm 103, As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Ps 103:13). But God the Father is not called Father because He copies earthly fathers, He is not like earthly fathers, to transfer the failings of earthly fathers to Him is quite simply, a misstep. For Our Father, the one that we come before is a loving, caring, gracious and compassionate, all powerful sovereign, all wise Father who created and governs all things, who is working all things together for the good of those who love him and we can have confidence as we pray that he indeed desires to give us good, he need desires our best, that he indeed is our God and Father through Christ Jesus, he gives them the gift of salvation, God the Father did not spear his own son but gave him up for us all (Rom 8:32). For all those who have asked, sought and knocked they are sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Gal 3:26) which means we can call God our Father. 


The fact that we can call God Father should fill us with wonder for even though we are evil by our nature, that we are deserving nothing but the wrath of God through Christ, for all those who ask, who seek, who knock we are given the gift of eternal life, salvation, we become the children of God, born of God. Through Christ with the work of the Spirit within us, for those who ask, seek and knock, we are not strangers, enemies, slaves, instead were are able to come as children before our heavenly Father and pray as sons and daughters, coming as heirs though Christ Jesus that is worked in us by the Spirit that moves us to call our God, Father. Such wonder in this word, there is intimacy, there is a familial connection amongst us, we are family. 


And for those of us who are family we should plead for one another to our gracious and good God, we should also be persistent in prayer for those whom we know and love that they too will ask, seek and knock, will we be those who persistently plead? If we are the child of God, if we have asked, sought, knocked the door receiving eternal life, then we live in response to what the Lord has done. It’s summed up here in v12, So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. The application is limitless in our interactions with the person who serves us coffee, to the oul trout who has given us a piece of their mind, this is the principle that we are to live by as believers, living with kingdom values.


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Q46. What is required in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
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26th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 5v13)


What is our natural setting when we are called to suffer? What is the first thing we do when the tears begin to roll? Who do we call when the bad news is delivered? There are of course many responses to these questions but if you are like me then prayer is often far down the list. James would have some choice words for me if I was under his care. The Lord’s brother asks “Is anyone among you suffering?” (v13) with the simple but challenging answer “Let him pray.”


What is prayer? Prayer is when we call upon the Lord sharing with Him our desires. Prayer never presumes that God will do what we say or else, instead prayer says “your will be done.” We approach God in the name of Jesus in the strength of the Holy Spirit and as we come before the Lord we confess our sins and we praise God for the mercy He has shown us.


If our definition of prayer is correct then we can say that prayer is actually quite simple. Nevertheless, it often proves incredibly difficult for us to put prayer into practice. Why do we struggle so much with prayer? Why do our churches not excel in prayer? Why is prayer the last port of call for many of us? I speak for myself when I say, I don’t pray because of my sin. I sinfully believe that I can do all things, I am the master of my destiny and I in my own strength will do the work. These sinful boasts might impress some, but they do not impress the Lord.


If we are suffering then we are to pray. Indeed, in the highs and lows of life, the Lord is to be the One we seek. James asks “Is anyone cheerful?” (v13b) then let him sing praise! In both suffering and summer days, we are to call upon the Lord and sing His praise.


I do not write this devotion to make you feel any worse about your prayer life than you already do. You know all too well that the Lord is often your last thought and rarely your first. Even so, I urge you to seek change in this area of your life. If we believe prayer to be powerful and effective, and if we say that Christ is our greatest treasure, then may our thoughts and words be proved true as we pray fervently and praise God daily.


Brothers and sisters, whatever your physical or spiritual condition today, call upon the Lord in prayer and sing His praise. Glorify God and enjoy Him - this is your whole duty and make no mistake, He is worthy of it all.


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Pray (acTS)


Sing


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Q45 Which is the first commandment? The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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25th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matt 7:7-14 focus 7-8)


Message (Alan Burke) 


What do you desire in this life? Is it wealth, fame, having all your dreams and wishes fulfilled? I meet lots of people who are living pursuing things that do not last, do not provide lasting satisfaction. The followers of Jesus are to be different though, we are not to be running after the things in this life, instead where to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt 6:32-33). We as believers are a seek the kingdom of God, we are to seek eternal reward rather than temporal, storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven not on earth (Matt 6:19-24). Jesus my bills on what he has already said, he takes the idea of the kingdom and the need to seek it and tells us to ask, seek and knock. Each one of these are pleas for God to act. Three imperatives that are given, we are to ask, we are to seek, we are to knock. What is being conveyed to us as the importance of continuing to do these things, that we are appealing to God to be gracious to us so that we may enter the kingdom. Jesus has already taught us in the Sermon on the Mount that blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (5:3). 


Who are the poor in spirit, they are those who recognise that they are spiritual beggars with nothing to offer to God, the poor in spirit are those who come before God and know that they stand without any pretence, that before him they are stripped of all their own efforts or endeavours, they come with nothing. The poor in spirit are the ones who receive the kingdom of heaven, they know that it isn’t their own goodness that gets them there, they have shunned all confidence in their own efforts or works, they rely instead on what Christ has done, and it is those often who have nothing are able to see their need for salvation most clearly. 


Well, we come before the Lord, we are those who are poor in spirit, we plead for God to give us the privilege of entering into the kingdom and here Jesus tells us that if we ask it will be given, if we seek we will find, if we knock the door will be opened. Everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. This is like an open invitation, for all who will hear the invitation, if you ask for entrance into the kingdom, you seek the kingdom if you knock on the door then you will have salvation. While Jesus was teaching his followers there on the mount, the crowds were looking on and this is an invitation for all who were there listening to him that day, if you ask, if you seek, if you knock, and if you continue to ask, seek knock, then you will enter the kingdom of God. No one who desires to enter the kingdom will be excluded. There is a Comfort in this because God will here our prayers and if we seek his kingdom, we will enter it. If you're battling with feelings of unworthiness remember that it's not about our worthiness but about Christs’, because of what he has done, we can enter the kingdom. 


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Q44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?
A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.
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23rd November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 5v12)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


What is the most important part of James? Perhaps his teaching on faith and works? Maybe his challenge to the unsaved rich? Is it perchance his call to live for today? Did you know that James says “above all” we are not to swear an oath by heaven or by earth (v12)? Is the most important part of James a refusal to swear any oaths but to let our yes be yes and no be no? Well, no, not quite.


James does indeed use the words “above all” but they should not be seen as the most vital part of his letter but rather a culmination of his teaching on the need for patient endurance as we wait for Christ’s return. To paraphrase the Lord’s brother I might suggest the following “Brothers and sisters, Christ is coming soon so make sure you keep going. Don’t be filled with grumbles but instead set your hope on Christ and finally, whatever else you do, let your words be truthful and straightforward.”


The teaching in verse twelve isn’t the most important point James makes but it should nevertheless be taken incredibly seriously. James says that we are not to swear or take any oath. The Lord Jesus said something very similar in Matthew’s Gospel “Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5v34-37). 


So are all oaths and vows prohibited by Scripture? Not quite. An oath is made when we call upon the Lord to act as a witness to our words. A vow is a promise that we personally make to God. Christ and James outlaw flippant, ill thought out and unserious oaths. For example, some in Christ’s day believed that if you swore without using God’s name then you were under no obligation to keep your promise. In our own day we have heard about wedding vows which were driven by money with no intention to have a long and happy life. Indeed, there have been recent government scandals with our elected representatives proved to be less than trustworthy in their vows.


On the other hand, the Christian’s Words should always be true and their promises should always be serious. If a follower of Christ says “yes” then the promise should be kept. We must flee from sneaky, underhand and duplicitous dealings. If you tell your neighbour that you will do something then make sure you do it.


There will be moments in your life that vows and oaths will be entirely appropriate. We see this in Acts 18v18 where we are told that Paul was under a vow. In the same way when you become a member of your local church you will be asked to make various promises, when you stand on your wedding day you will be asked to make various promises and when you address a court room you will be asked to make various promises. On each occasion let your yes be yes and your no be no. Speak truthfully always. If you call upon God to witness the truth of your words, then let your words be true. If you vow to God that you will do a certain thing, then do it.


I argue that although this teaching isn’t the “above all” of the entire book of James it does flow from the main thrust which is to be doers of the Word. The Gospel transforms our very words and so dear brothers and sisters, let your yes be yes and your no be no.


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Q43 What is the preface to the ten commandments? The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
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22nd November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 7:1-6 focus v6)


Message (Alan Burke)


Reading this verse we know that Jesus is making a point, but there are some things we must get right in order to understand it. Why would you give dogs something that is holy or pearls to pigs should these things not be kept away from them? Well yes I don’t think any of us would give to a dog what is holy, or throw pearls to pigs but if we think that Jesus is teaching about dogs and pigs and things that are holy and pearls then we are mistaken. While in our culture we keep dogs as domesticated pets, we have them in our homes, they work their way round the table after the dinner and pick up all the little scraps of food it wouldn’t have been that way for Jesus’ original hearers. The reason is that dogs were unclean animals, they were wild, despised. And I know that we are all looking forward to the December festivities with the pigs in blankets, the roast gammon, and fighting over the smoked bacon that was on top of the turkey when it cooked but just like dogs pigs were unclean animals, they were despised. 


What Jesus is doing is not speaking of dogs or pigs but people, he is equating people with dogs and pigs. He says what we are not to give to dogs, we are not to give them what is sacred. Likewise we are not to throw to pigs is pearls. You could sum it up as saying don’t give to dogs truth, that which is important, and don’t give to pigs that which is valuable. 


What is Jesus talking about here, who is he speaking of? He is talking about those who reject the gospel, those who are unwilling to listen, if they are filled with scorn or hatred towards the gospel then we are not waste our time. It means that we shouldn't waste our time with those who fail to listen to the wisdom of scripture, the message of the kingdom. Later in Matthew Jesus tells his disciples to shake the dust of their feet and move on from those who do not receive them (Matt 10:14). 


We need to judge, to evaluate whether we are dealing with dogs and pigs. We are to evangelise all, but for those who comes from them scorn and have no time for the gospel well we should know better, we should knock the dust of our feet and move on, we are to leave them in God hand, handing them over to him to deal with move on. The apostle Paul spoke of this principle and exemplified it as well, as long as people were open to the gospel, he would remain, but when people rejected the gospel, he moved on. (Acts 13:42-14:20, 17:1-15, 32-34, 19:23-20:1) In the immediate context the Pharisees and the Hypocrites were those who were filled with scorn and hatred to the gospel, today it’s a long list! 


We are to be careful, we are to be discerning when it comes to the dogs and pigs, those who are filled with scorn and hatred to the gospel that which is of real value, the truth of God, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When they will not listen, shake the dust of our feet and move on (Matt 10:14). We read in Proverbs 9:7-8, "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.” For those who are dogs and pigs they will show it in how they respond to the gospel.


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Q 42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
A. The sum of the ten commandments is, to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves.
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21st November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (James 5v9-11)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


What does Christ focused patient living look like? You might be surprised by the answer that comes from James. He says “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” (v9). If it is true that Christ is coming soon then the Christian fellowship should not be a place filled with moaning and grumbling.


We all know the scenario - Mavis doesn’t like the music and so she grumbles. John thinks not enough work is done in the community and so he grumbles. Fintan reckons he has been wronged and so he grumbles. The tragedy is that all of these made up situations and countless more could be played out in thousands of fellowships across the land. What is to be done? Very simply, God’s Word says stop grumbling.


When we grumble against one another we are acting as judge, jury and executioner and needless to say, we are none of these things. Instead, we would do well to remember that Christ is the Judge and He is standing at the door. He is close, He is near, He is coming soon! Instead of grumbling, we should patiently endure our trials and patiently bear with the faults of others.


Is there an example of this? Well yes. James points us to the prophets who spoke God’s Word (v10) as an example of suffering and patience. What did their patient endurance look like? The Apostle would say that they “suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11v36-38). Brothers and sisters, we are not the prophets and will not endure what they did but even so, their example is clear. Be steadfast and endure! 


Those who remain steadfast are and will be considered blessed (v11). They will certainly receive the unfading crown of glory. The Old Testament contains a huge book about a man called Job. Job loved the Lord but Satan believed that Job’s love was dependent upon God’s blessings. As a result, Job lost everything with the remainder of the book speaking to Job’s wrestling with God and the various answers to suffering which were offered by Job’s friends. Nevertheless, Job refused to curse God and continued steadfastly trusting Him even in the face of unspeakable loss. Why did Job suffer? Why were you diagnosed with cancer? Why has the latest storm fallen upon you? I do not know. I cannot be sure. I do not know.


I am all too aware of my limitations and vast ignorance, but I do know for sure that the Lord is compassionate and merciful (v11) and His purpose for us is good. At times this may seem like an easy answer which doesn’t help much in your regular trips to the Ulster but my friends, it is true. The sun shines on the righteous and the wicked alike and the worst of things often happen to the people of God. I cannot tell you why but I gently call upon you to keep going. May the Lord give us the strength to patiently endure the worst of trials. It may not be alright in the morning but endless joy will belong to the Christian at the return of Christ. Come Lord Jesus, come.


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Q41 Where is the moral law summarily comprehended? The moral law is summarily comprehended in the ten commandments.
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20th November 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Matthew 7:1-6 focus v2-5)


Message (Alan Burke)


There was one part of my primary degree that I hated above all else, now I should state that I enjoyed my primary degree in the main except for when I had to do reflective practice. The wikipedia explanation of what reflective practice is as follows: “Reflective practice is the ability to reflect on one's actions so as to take a critical stance or attitude towards one's own practice and that of one's peers, engaging in a process of continuous adaptation and learning.” I didn’t really enjoy reflecting, taking a critical stance or attitude towards my own practice and especially writing about it. I had to do it though. Then when I went to Union to train as a minister there was more reflective practice and by then I was much more adapt at the process. 


It is hard to reflect on ourselves, to take a step back and reflect on our actions, taking a critical stance or attitude towards what we do never mind how we are, yet Jesus is making that point here, the need for reflective practice, self examination. In doing that he uses a speck of sawdust in the eye compared to a plank. What Jesus is doing here is using a hyperbole, that is an exaggerated statement to make his point. What Jesus is referring to by both the speck of sawdust and the plank is sin. Let’s not forget that all sin is equally damming although not equally heinous.


So here Jesus gives us a word picture, a parable about the speck in your brother’s eye which is relatively small in comparison to the sin of yourself, that's what the plank portrays to us. A spec is relatively small, a plank on the other hand is a big thing. Jesus has already made it clear abundantly to us just how short we fall all of us are murders and adulterers, there is not one of us who kept the law, we've left it in shatters, before we judge others, evaluate, discern then to decide first we should examine our self. If you have difficulty doing that ask a brother or sister, ask one of the elders, there are many respectable sins, especially in the church, gossip is probably one of the besetting sins there is nothing quite like Christians for gossip, what about gluttony, what about worry, grumbling, overworking? There could be many more things added to that list. Often we don’t see these things as a problem. 


If you have first judged yourself, evaluated, discerned and decided how you are doing in your walk with the Lord, if you have then overcome a plank that was in your own eye, if you have had the victory over that sin in your life then you are qualified to help someone who is a speck in their own eye. Only when we have come to genuine repentance when we judge others correctly, evaluate others correctly, because we have come to know the depths of sin in our heart. Our sin is something that should concern us, and if it is and you need help, help to see what needs addressed, you need help to battle that sin then come, chat that through, be willing to ask because we should take our won sin seriously. Jesus here isn’t forbidding judging, he isn’t saying try to help someone who has a problem, but when there is hypocrisy first address your own sin.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.
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