"The Correct Measuring Stick!"

“The Correct Measuring Stick!”

 

For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.  But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.   So the one who boasts must boast in the Lord.  For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.        2 Corinthians 10:12, 17-18

 

The Apostle Paul was instructing the TRUE BELIEVERS of Corinth, about how they should measure their FAITHFULNESS and SERVICE to the Lord.  He is saying that we don’t dare compare our FAITHFULNESS and SERVICE with those who think so much of themselves, because to do so is foolishness, when they compare themselves with themselves.

 

He was cautioning them to NOT be enamored of such people who possesses such a form of self-adulation.  When in all actuality, their spiritual vitality was because of the GRACE of GOD!

 

Paul was not seeking the commendation of the Corinthians nor was he commending himself.  He knew that he would one day stand at the judgment seat of Christ, and only God’s approval will matter.  Self-commendation and the praise of man will account for NOTHING.

 

TRUE believers must not use themselves or anyone else as their MEASURING STICK.  Self-adulation and commendation is FOOLISHNESS, and when we look at our FAITHFULNESS and SERVICE to the Lord. We need NOT look at our OWN abilities and accomplishments, and brag about what we have done or compare them to anyone else’s abilities and accomplishments, and to use ourselves or others as a MEASURING STICK. 

 

If we want to brag, we need to brag about what the Lord has done, and is presently doing in and through us, not on our own abilities and accomplishments or on anybody else’s, but we can certainly brag on Jesus, because without God’s MERCY and GRACE, we are wretched, miserable, sinful, lost people with NO POSTIVE future to look forward to, and certainly NOTHING to brag or be commended on. 

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are one of those people who are wretched, miserable sinful, and lost, with NO POSITIVE future to look forward to.  Only a future that will be spent in a place of torment, torture, misery, and pain, for ALL eternity, a place called Hell, which is definitely NOTHING to be commended on.  However, you can change that by:  CONFESSING your sins to God and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start bragging on JESUS, and ALL that He does for you, and let HIM be your MEASURING STICK.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!