The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
June 30, 2002
In
This Issue:
Measuring
Yourself
By
Joe Fitch
Measuring Yourself
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 Corinthians10:12). Does "measuring " yourself have a strange ring? It should not; we do it all the time. We frequently measure our girth and weight -- then vow to diet. And in more critical things, we often measure both ourselves and others. The issue is not measuring; the ruler we use is critical.
"I see lots of weird people -- they are not like me. Others are just plain stupid -- they disagree with me. Next come the fools -- I never do as they do. My measuring stick? Me! How did I get so smart -- so perfect that I became the measuring stick to judge everyone?" The "I ruler " is definitely the wrong measuring stick. Those who use it surely "are not wise."
"I am better than all those hypocrites at church." Maybe you are right. "Little Jack Horner" stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum, and said: what a good boy am I " Feel like a "good boy"? Well, better than the worst -- the jerks -- is no great recommendation. They "are not wise" who use that ruler. Better than hypocrites may still leave you miserably wrong --- and going to hell with all those jerks and hypocrites. The "hypocrite ruler " only gives false comfort.
"But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul" (Hebrews 10:39). "Those who draw back" are "quitters " headed for hell -- as are all who justify themselves by using "quitters" as a measuring stick. "Those who believe " are entirely different. Heroes of faith offer great role models -- worth emulating. This is far different from "comparing themselves among themselves" --- patting one another on the back saying "I'm OK; you're OK." The heroes of faith beckon to a higher plane -- to a remarkable measure of faithfulness. Consider Timothy's measure -- "...no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state"(Philippians 2:20). Add Stephanus' household -- "...they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints" (1 Corinthians16:15). Include Dorcas who "...was full of good works and charitable deeds" making "tunics and garments" for the widows (Acts 9:36, 39). Remember also Barnabas who "having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet " for the poor saints (Acts 4:37). Do you see the measuring stick? They set it high! Call to mind a host who "wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves " who "had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented -- of whom the world was not worthy." They were God's righteous saints -- "tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection" (Hebrews11:35). Stand beside them; measure yourself -- if you dare! Ah yes, they surely raise the bar of excellence. Measured by such men inspires determination to stand up -- to measure up. With Paul, they exhort "Therefore I urge you, imitate me" (1 Corinthians 4:16) Listen to them! Measured -- and inspired by such devout men, no one fails or acts unwisely.
Truth is also God's absolute measuring stick. Truth has no favorites -- shows no partiality -- never bends to suit situations. Truth is the criteria for final judgment. In any age -- in all situations, truth is pure and untarnished. Nothing replaces it. Wise men listen to truth -- then compare their conduct and character to God's measuring stick. They want to do right and really try to measure up -- even though they miss the full measure of truth's mark. Truth's measuring stick still beckons upward. Wise are those who seek it diligently -- and follow it.
"&ldots;looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews12:2). Jesus is our practical measurement. He goes before -- shows the way. He shows how a son of God conducts himself. Christians --sons of God -- measure themselves by him; His "image" is their goal. They forgive "just as" he forgave (Ephesians 4:32) "And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Where did we acquire this lofty, self-sacrificing measure? "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16). Christians pledge to the Father to "always do what pleases Him" (John 8:29) -- just as Jesus. In all things, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Need an ideal rule for measurement? "look... unto Jesus."
by Joe Fitch