Seeing the Bigger Picture: From Judgement to Grace

(#27) Lessons from Luke 6:37-42

**Hey Salt & Light Daily Readers**

Join me in warmly welcoming, Adam Lawley, our guest writer for this week’s edition of The Salt & Light Daily. Adam is a bi-vocational pastor, church planter, and active Substacker of Letters of LIFE & FAITH. Thanks for Adam for providing his perspective on this next section in the Book of Luke. - Paul

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Photo by Jenna Day on Unsplash

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Devotional: Luke 6:37-42

Judging Others

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 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? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.” - Luke 6:37-42 (ESV)

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3D Vision

A few years ago, I went to a 3D movie that I had been looking forward to for weeks. I grabbed my soda, loaded up on extra-buttery popcorn, and settled in, ready to be wowed by the special effects.

The problem? I wasn’t wowed at all. Everything on the screen was blurry. The 3D effects weren’t working, and I couldn’t make out what was happening.

Frustrated, I took off my glasses and realized the issue—I had smudged the lenses with my buttery fingers. It was my own fault. My view was distorted, not because of the movie, but because of what was on my lenses.

Isn’t that how life works sometimes? We think we’re seeing others clearly, but the real problem is with our own perspective.

Jesus speaks to this in Luke 6, reminding us that before we rush to point out someone else’s flaws, we need to check our own vision first. When we judge without self-examination, we’re looking at the world through smudged, broken spiritual lenses. We assume others are the problem, but in reality, we’re the ones who need clarity.

That’s why Jesus calls us to mercy over judgment. He’s both our Lord—the only one worthy to judge—and our Savior, the one who removes the plank from our eyes and helps us see clearly. His grace doesn’t just save us; it also transforms the way we view and treat others.

So today, take a moment to ask God for a fresh perspective. Instead of walking in judgment or criticism, choose grace. Extend the same mercy you’ve received.

That instance at the movies lasted about 10 minutes, until I had enough and went and got a replacement pair of glasses. Everything was different. I could see the images, effects and movie vividly. All with a little perspective change.

With a shift, you’ll find that with the right perspective—one shaped by Christ—everything looks different.

I pray that today, you walk in the freedom of grace and see others the way Jesus does.

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More about our guest writer:

Adam Lawley resides in Birmingham, Alabama, where he just recently celebrated a church plant with Hope Church and a five year anniversary of planting Hope Church. He is married to his beautiful wife, Ashley, and together they raise their two incredible children. When he’s not at church or writing, you’ll likely find Adam enjoying a strong cup of coffee, playing pickleball, cheering on Alabama football, or planning his next Disney World adventure.

Adam & Ashley pictured below: