You are taught not to judge others, but to judge yourself. Elsewhere you are taught that you will be judged by the same standard by which you judge others. What standard do you use for judging yourself? Are you lenient with yourself and tolerant of sloppy living? Is there an area in your life in which you hold yourself to high standards because you are committed to excellence in this area? Don’t you admire people who practice self-discipline and at the same time are gracious toward others? If you will judge yourself you will not be judged.

Are you legalistic? This is a term believers apply to other believers, but not to themselves, for it is not considered a compliment. Do you think I was legalistic? I told the rich young ruler to keep the commandments, and said that not a jot or tittle of the law would pass away. You can find verses to support any position, but what would distinguish my conduct from a legalist? Without rejecting the rules my primary concern was for humanity rather than rules, and I applied the rules to facilitate the spiritual formation of people.

I told my (all male) followers that greater love had no man than that he lay down his life for his friends. How often have you heard this common phrase? I spoke a great deal about love to my disciples. Yet how difficult it is for modern men to say that they love their male friends! This comes much easier for women, but even they may neglect it. How else would you describe a life-giving relationship that you are highly invested in? Wouldn’t you sacrifice for your friends? Yet cultural biases and pressures can keep you from expressing this. Don’t let fear keep you silent. Tell them.

Do you believe in equality? This is a common feature of many political systems. Does it go against your direct observations? Can you see that people vary not only in appearance, but also in resources and abilities, values and tastes, and every other dimension of humanity? So people are not inherently equal and the doctrine of equality requires some reflection, and an equalizer. For believers, the fact that all people are created by me and in that sense my children is the basis for ultimate equality and therefore political equality before the law.