Saturday, October 1, 2016
2 Corinthians 10:12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
MANUFACTURED APPROVAL
It's easy to exaggerate our own good qualities and forget about our faults. It's also easy to exaggerate our neighbor's faults and forget about his good qualities. When we insist on seeking approval by comparing ourselves to others we usually end up lying to ourselves and hurting others.
Paul says, "Don't grade yourself by comparing yourself with others." Paul also says, "Don't grade yourself by comparing yourself with yourself."
Proverbs 21:2 says, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts."
When we judge ourselves by human standards, we can usually find a way to come out looking pretty good. Christians, we need to stop manufacturing approval for ourselves and seek instead the approval of God.
Faith contact with Christ is the way to God's approval. The only way. By faith in Christ the lowliest criminal finds forgiveness and approval in God's eyes (Luke 23:39-43). Without faith in Christ even the rich and powerful find swift judgment (Acts 12:21-23). Praise God for the approval expressed in the beloved hymn:
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 371:1)
