Matthew 7:6 – Judging others

This is arguably one of the sermon’s stranger sections.

Are we not called to go and make disciples, to preach about Jesus, to tell everyone about the Good News? Yet, I remain mindful of Robert Heinlein’s wisecrack: “Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.”

I believe what Jesus is telling us is to remain balanced, to be discerning, to be sensitive to context and situation.

There’s a form of evangelism that urges Christians to take every opportunity to preach the gospel.

Unfortunately, insensitive evangelism may prove harmful not only to the stiff-necked whose heart is further hardened by the undifferentiating evangelist, but also harmful to the Gospel itself that is being force-fed.

We like to count converts, but those offended and turned away from the Gospel are never tallied. Yet … some who we think are dogs or pigs will respond to the pearls we have.

Let us be just, kind and humble when sowing seeds of Good News. Prayerfully more will find fertile ground than not.

The Reverend Deacon Heino Claessions
St. Albans Glen Williams.