There seems to be so much peer pressure these days, to measure and compare our abilities, appearance, and successes by the level of those things in the loves of others. More often than not, when we do so, we end the day in misery and discouragement, because "someone else" appears to rank higher or better than we do. May I submit, from a biblical perspective, that our misery is not caused by the assumed better state of others, nor by the assumed lesser state of ourselves....but by our own violation of the heart, mind, will and purpose of God.
He teaches us in 2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
We know, from Romans 8:28-29, that God's goal and purpose for all things in our lives is that we be conformed to Christlikeness, thus accomplishing that ultimate goal of His glory. That knowledge brings clarity in understanding to the the subsequent obedience in comparing ourselves to the attitudes, behaviors, and communications of our Saviour.
In 1 Peter 1:15, we read "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation"; In Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."; In Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
We are to measure ourselves by Christ...not ourselves, not others. What glorious freedom! What liberating power! Phil 4:13 says it so clearly "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".
I trust God will continue to help each of us today in this area of spiritual growth.
(C) 1993 N.A.Collins. Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
He teaches us in 2 Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
We know, from Romans 8:28-29, that God's goal and purpose for all things in our lives is that we be conformed to Christlikeness, thus accomplishing that ultimate goal of His glory. That knowledge brings clarity in understanding to the the subsequent obedience in comparing ourselves to the attitudes, behaviors, and communications of our Saviour.
In 1 Peter 1:15, we read "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation"; In Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."; In Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
We are to measure ourselves by Christ...not ourselves, not others. What glorious freedom! What liberating power! Phil 4:13 says it so clearly "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".
I trust God will continue to help each of us today in this area of spiritual growth.
(C) 1993 N.A.Collins. Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
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