Too Short (Part 1)

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~ Romans 3:23-24

While we are to strive to be like Jesus, who was perfect, it's important that we balance and temper that striving with a recognition that we are not and will never be perfect.

We are called to be like Jesus, not to be Him.

The fact is, we will never measure up, no matter how hard we try.

And while we are called to give grace to others because of this, even more importantly, we should extend that same grace to ourselves - however imperfect, messed up, and weak we might be.

God wants you to strive to be like Jesus, but understand that you'll never measure up.

More to come!

God bless,

J.W.

Each According to His Ability (Part 5)

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." - 2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

Let's talk about comparing ourselves to others.

In short, comparing ourselves to others is foolish.

Why do we do it?

God says He's given each of us according to our own ability (Matthew 25:15). He gives each of us a measure of grace (Ephesians 4:7) and faith (Romans 12:3). In other words, we are all different, uniquely and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

So then, comparing myself to someone else makes no sense. Rather, my measuring stick should be my own potential, not the status, power, or ability of someone else.

In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul warns against such comparisons. In fact, he calls them unwise (2 Corinthians 10:12). Instead, Paul instructs us to measure ourselves "within the limits of the sphere which God appointed to us" (2 Corinthians 10:13).

God has given each of us a race to run, a purpose to accomplish (Hebrews 12:1). You may not be the fastest or the quickest, but God doesn't measure us against other people. He measures us within the sphere that He's given us.

What's your measuring stick today?

God bless,
J.W.