Often times, individual Christians make this statement: "I am a good person."
The implication is that Christians magically become good people after we accept Jesus. Don't get me wrong, when we accept Jesus we are given his perfect life which replaces our imperfect life. But it doesn't stop there.
We still have a lot of growing up to do in Christ! In fact, we may help the little old lady cross the street, serve in a food kitchen on the weekend, and even attend church regularly! After a while, we seem to get this idealistic view of ourselves.
We're good people, that is, at least better than "those" people...
Ever caught yourself in the previous statement?
I have.
Human nature causes us to compare ourselves to others. The truth is, we're not better people. In fact, comparing is a sin—thus the not better part. Comparing ourselves causes us to have pride. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Somtimes we even compare our circumstances to others circumstances. We think, "Wow! If they are going through that, they must have done something really wrong!"
That is a slap in the face to God.
Why? Because you just broke the second part of the greatest commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. The breaking of the commandment is sin and sin is a slap in the face to God.
When we sin we say to God: "You are not important to us. We love ourselves more than You, Jesus." (The same thing Adam and Eve said in the Garden of Eden!)
Comparing is sin.
Sin slaps God in the face.
Don't compare.
Jesus said:
Only our faith in Jesus makes us right with God. There are no actions we can take except repentance that makes us right with God.
If we find ourselves comparing, WE MUST STOP, REPENT, AND GROW UP!
We're not better people. We deserve the same wrath of God as everyone else. Only our faith in Jesus saves us from condemnation of sin.
We're not better so STOP, REPENT, AND GROW UP!
More on growing up tomorrow.
The implication is that Christians magically become good people after we accept Jesus. Don't get me wrong, when we accept Jesus we are given his perfect life which replaces our imperfect life. But it doesn't stop there.
We still have a lot of growing up to do in Christ! In fact, we may help the little old lady cross the street, serve in a food kitchen on the weekend, and even attend church regularly! After a while, we seem to get this idealistic view of ourselves.
We're good people, that is, at least better than "those" people...
Ever caught yourself in the previous statement?
I have.
Human nature causes us to compare ourselves to others. The truth is, we're not better people. In fact, comparing is a sin—thus the not better part. Comparing ourselves causes us to have pride. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
Somtimes we even compare our circumstances to others circumstances. We think, "Wow! If they are going through that, they must have done something really wrong!"
That is a slap in the face to God.
Why? Because you just broke the second part of the greatest commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. The breaking of the commandment is sin and sin is a slap in the face to God.
When we sin we say to God: "You are not important to us. We love ourselves more than You, Jesus." (The same thing Adam and Eve said in the Garden of Eden!)
Comparing is sin.
Sin slaps God in the face.
Don't compare.
Jesus said:
You're not the better person. I'm not the better person.And he answered them, Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Only our faith in Jesus makes us right with God. There are no actions we can take except repentance that makes us right with God.
If we find ourselves comparing, WE MUST STOP, REPENT, AND GROW UP!
We're not better people. We deserve the same wrath of God as everyone else. Only our faith in Jesus saves us from condemnation of sin.
We're not better so STOP, REPENT, AND GROW UP!
More on growing up tomorrow.
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