what’s that in your eye? “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for...

WHAT’S THAT IN YOUR EYE?

“…eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise…” (Exodus 21:23).

And so ‘have a heart,’ a new heart. Not a heart of stone, prophet Ezekiel declares, but “…a heart of flesh…”

(Ezekiel 36:26). A heart of

compassion, prophet Micah goes on to say, “…loving mercy…”

(Micah 6:8).

Hesed

Realize: Everyone Is ‘Fighting Some Battle.’

For listen: ‘what comes around goes around’; what you measure out to others “…will be measured [back] to you…” (Matthew 7:2).

Be Open To Constructive Feedback And Appraisal.

“We proclaim [Christ] – admonishing…everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ…” (Colossians 1:28).

1) Believe Reality Is Your Friend. 2) Don’t Tackle All Improvement-

Challenges, All At Once.

“The life of faith is not a life of mounting up with wings [e.g. everything getting better at once]—but a life of walking and not fainting.”- Oswald Chambers.

3) Anticipate: Strength And Health Will Result.

God allows correction “…for our own good…It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn…by being corrected -- we will do right and live at peace. [And so] stand up straight! Stop your knees from shaking and walk a straight path. Then [you] will be healed -- instead of getting worse.”

(Hebrews 12:10-13, CEV).

Aim To Encourage And Build-Up Everyone, In Christ.

It’s interesting, in our Matthew text, Jesus uses a building metaphor: taking wooden planks out of our eyes, before attempting to take-out sawdust from the eyes of others (Matthew 7:3-5).

“…Go out and encourage your men…” -- 2 Samuel 19:7. “Hear the afflicted [and] encourage

them [listening] to their cry…” – Psalm 10:17. “…Encourage each other daily…” -- Hebrews 3:13.

“…Encourage with great patience and careful instruction…”

-- 2 Timothy 4:2. “…Encourage each other and

[thus] build each other up” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Yes “…warn [admonish, each other, but] encourage [each other]…” – Paul goes on to note. “Be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong -- but always…be kind to each other…pray continuously -- give thanks in all circumstances…Do not put out the Spirit’s fire…”

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19.