If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. (Gal 6:3-4)
Isn’t it easy to point the finger at imperfection in others? “Can you believe they … (I’m sure you can fill in the blank)?” This seems especially true when the flaw is an area that we do not struggle with in our own life. Our own weaknesses are, well, just that a weakness – a very tiny one (or so we think). We have a tendency to judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions. If we are not careful, we may even find ourselves evaluating our godliness based on our perception of others. “I’m better than a lot of people”.
Paul warned the church at Galatia that they should focus on their own actions instead of comparing themselves with others. Jesus said it this way, “You hypocrite, take the log out of your own eye before trying to get the dust out of someone else’s eye.” (Matt 7:5 my paraphrase.)
The only reliable standard by which we can judge our life is God’s expectations. Paul told the Corinthians, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless of course you fail the test? (2 Cor 13:4-6) and he told the Romans, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2)
So, how are you doing?
-Shalom!
Great Word.
Thank You!