The Summary of the Law (Love God & Love Neighbor) lays out for us two dimensions of the life of faith: vertical with the Lord, and horizontal with others. As we learn to love God by receiving his love, we are better able to love others. The state of our relationship with God affects how well we relate to others.

God our Father is so generous and good to us, that being judgmental is excluded.

Chapter 7 of the Sermon on the Mount begins by addressing relationships. The first paragraph is Jesus warning us not to be judgmental. We readily judge others for a number of reasons. It can stop behaviors we disdain. Putting people down makes us feel a little better about ourselves. It lowers the standard for ourselves. These and lots of other bad motivations tempt us to be judgmental. Jesus calls us hypocrites when we act like this. He ridiculously tells us to remove the log from our eye so we can see the speck in our brother’s eye. This doesn’t mean we never make a judgment, but cautions about being judgmental. How else would we discern if a “pig” is open to spiritual pearls (v. 6)? Jesus warns us that we will be judged by whatever standard we adopt.

God’s standard is the better way. God is generous to those who ask, seek and knock. He is even more generous to those who ask than we are with our own children (v. 11). 

Taking It Home: The next time you’re tempted to judge or condemn someone, apply this wisdom: “be curious not judgmental.” In doing so, you might see them from a better perspective, possibly even God’s perspective. This will help you extend grace just like God does for you.