Grace, Humility, and the Call to Compassion

Devotional

Day 1: All Have Sinned and Fall Short

No one is exempt from the reality of sin; every person, regardless of background or effort, has missed the mark of God's perfect standard and stands in need of grace. This truth humbles us, reminding us that we are not morally superior to others, and that our only hope is found in the mercy God offers through Christ. When we recognize our own brokenness, it becomes impossible to look down on others, and we are freed from the exhausting burden of pretending to be perfect. Instead, we can approach God honestly, knowing that He already knows our failures and loves us still. [41:02]

Romans 3:10, 23 (ESV)
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you find it hardest to admit your own shortcomings? Ask God to help you see yourself honestly and receive His grace today.

Day 2: Beware the Spirit of Condemning Judgment

It is easy to focus on the sins of others while excusing our own, but this attitude blinds us to our need for repentance and creates a dangerous spiritual pride. When we judge others harshly, we often do so to make ourselves feel better, but Jesus calls us to examine our own hearts first, to put down the binoculars and pick up the mirror. True spiritual growth happens when we invite God and trusted community to reveal our blind spots, so that we can be transformed from the inside out. [55:47]

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: Who in your life do you find yourself judging most harshly? What would it look like to pray for them and ask God to show you your own blind spots instead?

Day 3: Practice Corrective Judgment with Grace and Truth

God calls us not to condemn, but to discern and correct with compassion, always seeking restoration rather than punishment. When we confront sin, it should be with the goal of healing and reconciliation, never to shame or destroy. Like Jesus with the woman caught in adultery, we are to offer grace that does not excuse sin but points to the hope of transformation. Our words and actions should reflect both truth and love, building others up and inviting them to experience the freedom found in Christ. [01:00:16]

John 8:10-11 (ESV)
Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Reflection: Is there someone you need to approach with both truth and grace? How can you speak or act today in a way that seeks their restoration rather than their condemnation?

Day 4: God’s Grace and Justice Are for Everyone

God’s justice is perfect and impartial, and His grace is available to all—no matter how far someone has fallen or how righteous they may appear. We are often tempted to think that some people are beyond the reach of God’s mercy, but the cross stands as proof that forgiveness is offered to everyone, everywhere. When we remember that God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, we are moved to extend that same kindness to others, trusting that only God can truly change hearts. [01:05:41]

Romans 2:1-11 (ESV)
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.

Reflection: Is there someone you struggle to believe is deserving of God’s grace? Pray for them by name today, asking God to help you see them as He does.

Day 5: Respond to Brokenness with Prayer and Compassion

When confronted with the brokenness and evil in the world, our first response should not be self-righteous outrage, but humble prayer and a willingness to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Instead of climbing onto our spiritual high horses, we are called to get on our knees, intercede for our nation and our neighbors, and then rise to live out truth with gentleness and compassion. God invites us to be salt and light, standing for what is right while loving those who are lost, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation. [01:11:33]

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can pray for your community or nation today, and how might you follow that prayer with an act of compassion or truth-telling this week?

Sermon Summary

This week’s events have left many of us shaken, saddened, and even angry at the depths of depravity on display in our world. Yet, as we turn to Romans 2, we find that God’s Word speaks directly to our moment—not just to the evil “out there,” but to the subtle pride and judgment that can take root “in here,” within our own hearts. It’s easy to look at the brokenness around us and feel morally superior, to rail against the darkness and forget that we, too, are sinners in need of grace. Paul’s words remind us that while the world’s sin is real and grievous, so is the temptation to become Pharisees—quick to condemn others while excusing our own faults.

The truth is, none of us meets God’s perfect standard. Just as no baseball player can bat a thousand or pitch a perfect game every time, so none of us can claim a spotless record before God. We all fall short, and the only hope for any of us is the mercy and kindness of God, which is meant to lead us to repentance. Jesus Himself warned against focusing on the speck in our brother’s eye while ignoring the plank in our own. The call is not to ignore sin, but to approach it with humility, self-examination, and a longing for restoration rather than condemnation.

We are not called to be judge, jury, and executioner over others. Instead, we are to discern truth from error, right from wrong, but always with the goal of healing and reconciliation. Condemning judgment pushes people further from God; condoning sin gives license to continue in it. The way of Christ is to confront with truth and love, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation. Grace does not wink at sin—it wins over sin, offering a solution through the cross.

God’s justice is perfect, impartial, and full of mercy. He offers grace to all, even those we might consider beyond hope. Our role is not to restrict God’s grace to ourselves, but to extend it to everyone, everywhere. As we grieve the evil in our world, let us resist the urge to climb onto our spiritual high horses. Instead, let us get on our knees, pray for our nation and our neighbors, and rise to be the hands and feet of Jesus—standing for truth, but always in love, so that the Holy Spirit might transform lives through the power of the cross.

Key Takeaways

1. The Universal Need for Grace No one is exempt from the infection of sin; we all fall short of God’s perfect standard. It is a spiritual blind spot to believe that others are more in need of grace than we are. Recognizing our own brokenness is the first step toward humility and genuine compassion for others. Only when we see ourselves rightly can we extend the same mercy we so desperately need. [39:57]
2. The Danger of Condemning Judgment When we focus on condemning the sins of others, we often ignore the sin in our own lives, creating spiritual blind spots that hinder our growth. Jesus calls us to self-examination before we ever attempt to correct someone else. Condemning judgment is a trap that leads to pride and hypocrisy, distancing us from both God and people. True spiritual maturity is marked by a willingness to look in the mirror before picking up the gavel. [54:59]
3. The Power of Corrective Discernment God calls us to discernment, not damnation. Corrective judgment, rooted in kindness and patience, seeks to restore rather than punish. Grace does not excuse sin but offers a path to healing through truth and love. Our goal is not to win arguments or cases, but to win people—helping them encounter the transforming power of Christ. [60:16]
4. The Impartiality of God’s Justice Unlike human judgment, which is often partial and hypocritical, God’s justice is perfect and impartial. He sees the hidden motives of the heart and extends grace to all, regardless of their past or present. This means that even those we find hardest to forgive are not beyond the reach of God’s mercy. We are called to reflect this impartial grace in our own relationships and attitudes. [63:42]
5. Living as Agents of Grace and Truth In a world spiraling into deeper darkness, our response must not be self-righteous condemnation but humble intercession and compassionate action. We are to pray for our nation, our neighbors, and even our enemies, and then rise to live as salt and light. Standing for truth must always be coupled with love, so that the Holy Spirit can use us to bring healing and transformation to a broken world. [71:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[37:28] - Baseball and the Impossibility of Perfection
[39:57] - Humanity’s Universal Sinfulness
[41:46] - The Depravity of Our Culture
[43:46] - The Temptation to Condemn
[44:49] - Turning the Spotlight Inward
[46:17] - Jesus on Judging Others
[47:19] - Reading Romans 2:1-11
[49:07] - What Does “Judge Not” Really Mean?
[49:52] - Condemning vs. Discerning Judgment
[53:06] - Three Helps on Judging
[54:59] - The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
[56:24] - Spiritual Blind Spots and the Need for Community
[58:36] - The Power of Corrective Judgment
[60:16] - Grace: Not a Pass, but a Solution
[62:00] - The “Drop the Gavel” Plan
[63:42] - God’s Perfect Justice and Impartial Grace
[65:05] - Jonah and the Scope of God’s Mercy
[67:33] - Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost
[69:39] - The Only Way to Be Forgiven
[70:44] - Grace for All, Everywhere
[71:33] - Responding with Prayer and Compassion
[72:46] - Invitation to Pray for Our Nation and Neighbor

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 2:1-11 (ESV) — 1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who do such things.
3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will render to each one according to his works:
7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;
8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek,
10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
11 For God shows no partiality.

Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV) — 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV) – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector — 9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Observation Questions

According to Romans 2:1-4, what is the danger of judging others while ignoring our own sin?
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), what attitudes do the two men display, and how does Jesus evaluate them?
What does Paul say is the purpose of God’s kindness in Romans 2:4?
In Matthew 7:1-5, what does Jesus say we should do before trying to correct someone else?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul warns believers not to get on their “spiritual high horse” when they see evil in the world? How does this relate to the temptation to become like the Pharisees?
What is the difference between condemning judgment and corrective discernment, according to the sermon? Why is this distinction important for Christians?
How does recognizing our own need for grace change the way we view and treat others, especially those we might consider “worse sinners”?
The sermon says, “Grace does not wink at sin—it wins over sin, offering a solution through the cross.” What does this mean for how we approach people who are struggling with sin?

Application Questions

The sermon talked about the “little Pharisee” inside each of us who expects perfection from others but gives ourselves grace. Can you think of a recent time when you were quick to judge someone else but excused your own behavior? What would it look like to respond differently next time?
When you see evil or brokenness in the world, is your first reaction to condemn, to ignore, or to pray? How could you make prayer and humble self-examination your first response this week?
The pastor suggested three steps before confronting someone: look in the mirror, check your motives, and frame your methods. Which of these is hardest for you, and why? How could you practice this “drop the gavel plan” in a real-life situation?
The sermon said, “Condemning judgment pushes people further from God; condoning sin gives license to continue in it.” How can you balance truth and love when you need to speak into someone’s life? Can you think of a specific relationship where this is needed?
God’s justice is described as perfect and impartial, offering grace to all—even those we find hardest to forgive. Is there someone in your life or in the news that you struggle to believe is “not beyond the reach of God’s mercy”? What would it look like to pray for them this week?
The sermon ended with a call to get off our “spiritual high horses” and onto our knees in prayer, then rise to be the hands and feet of Jesus. What is one practical way you can show both truth and love to your neighbor, coworker, or even an enemy this week?
The pastor mentioned the importance of community in helping us see our spiritual blind spots. Who in your life do you trust to point out your blind spots? How can you invite more honest feedback and accountability?

Sermon Clips

But the big kahuna lesson is, we have this tendency to condemn in others what we excuse in ourselves. See, we often judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions. Yet in this parable, Jesus is telling these disciples and telling us, put down the binoculars that magnify someone else's sin and pick up the mirror and look at your own life. [00:54:48] (39 seconds)

Docamazo. It means to judge or to evaluate with concern, with compassion, with discernment, rooted in God's kindness, in God's patience, in God's grace, that's always, always, always seeking to reconcile, to rescue, to restore, to build up. And that's the kind of judgment that God says He wants us to have. And so when we practice discernment over damnation, we enable God to move in a powerful way for His good in us and through us. [00:58:56] (41 seconds)

``And so, I think Paul is trying to help us to realize that the church and Christians, we've not been called to be a courthouse of conviction, but a hospital for the healing. The goal isn't to win the case. The goal is to win the person. Someone once said it this way. We're called to be doctors, not district attorneys. We're called to diagnose, to help, and to heal, not to inflict in order to punish. [01:00:40] (23 seconds)

Tim Keller, speaking on this, said, truth without love is harshness. Love without truth is sentimentality. The gospel gives us both. Truth calls sin what it is, while love kneels beside the sinner to carry them to Christ. And this is the power and the place of corrective discernment. [01:02:45] (21 seconds)

See, unlike us, God dispenses perfect justice. Our justice or our judgment tends to be partial, sometimes hypocritical, because we seemingly can't help but to condemn others for what we excuse in ourselves. But yet God has the ability to see the hidden motives. God has the ability to evaluate without favoritism. And in spite of our guilt, He gives us grace. In spite of our guilt, He displays kindness that leads us to repentance. [01:03:11] (36 seconds)

See, the thing about God's grace, because He's an equal opportunity Savior, it doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter what you've done. It doesn't matter where you are. It doesn't matter what you haven't done. He sees you the same way He sees me, the same way He sees everyone, and that is sinners in need of a Savior. [01:04:34] (24 seconds)

When it's all said and done, Jesus came for one purpose, to seek and to save the lost. Who's lost? All of us were lost. It doesn't matter whether you're a little lost or a lot lost. You're lost. And so God... And so God...did for us what we couldn't do for ourselves. [01:07:42] (28 seconds)

And so, that gets us to the last possible chance, and that is we have to realize that we are bankrupt sinners. There's nothing we can do to save ourselves. And so, God, who is rich in mercy, did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He stepped out of heaven. He became a man. He lived a sinless life. He stretched out his arms, and he died on an old rugged cross to pay for your sin and to pay for my sin and to pay for the sin of all humanity. And if we will believe that and receive that, he will become our advocate. He'll become our Savior. [01:09:28] (36 seconds)

See, God demonstrated his love for you and me in this way, and that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. That's what happened. See, because God so loved us, he took our place on the cross so that his perfect justice could be served. And as a result, his grace is sufficient for the least of these and the best of these. It's for everyone everywhere with no strings attached. [01:10:10] (29 seconds)

And so my prayer is that as we leave this place today, we will be sickened and saddened by what's going on in the world around us. But instead of getting on our spiritual high horses, that we'll get on our hands and knees. And we will beg God for his mercy. And we will become his hands and his feet. And we will stand for the truth in love in order to help the Holy Spirit do what only the Holy Spirit can do. And that's transformed lives by the power of the cross. [01:11:15] (37 seconds)

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