Most of us are familiar with the saying, “The exception that proves the rule.” That is, when something out of the ordinary happens, it “proves” the ordinary (the rule) exists. We can even apply this idea to personal behavior.

The biblical character David is an example of an exception proving the rule. The Bible characterizes him as a man after God’s heart who lived to do God’s will. Yet there was a dramatic exception to the rule when he was involved in adultery and murder. The question then arises whether to judge David by the exception or by the rule. And the same question applies when we judge others. Do we judge them by the exception or by the rule? We can answer that question by remembering how God looks at us—not at our sins but at our standing in Christ.

If you are tempted to judge another by the exception rather than the rule of faithfulness in their life, remember how God looks at you.

True forgiveness breaks a man, and he must forgive.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones