Ready:
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
-2 Corinthians 5:21
Set:
I had my blood cholesterol levels checked last week and met with the doctor to discuss my results. I exercise regularly and eat well, so I anticipated good results. The doctor said that my results were great and that he was very pleased. He wished that all of his patients had results like mine, and that 90 percent of them are not as good as my results.
As I looked at the paper and compared my numbers with the recommendations, I was completely disappointed. I saw that three of my cholesterol levels were borderline “desirable.” The doctor’s praise of my numbers didn’t make me feel any better. I thought to myself, “Doctor, you are using the wrong yard stick.” He was comparing my numbers to the average patient’s; I was comparing them to the medical professionals’ guidelines, and I saw room for improvement.
Ironically, many people do that in their lives. They think, “Hey, I’m a better person than so-and-so.” Or, “I haven’t stolen anything.” Thus, they conclude that they are “good enough” to go to Heaven. They measure themselves with the wrong yard stick. When compared to Christ, we are all living less than desirable lives. The Bible says to view lust or hate the same as we do stealing or killing. When we compare ourselves to Christ, then we can see our sin and, only then, our desperate need for a Savior.
Go:
1. Notice how many different ways we compare our wrong to others on a daily basis. “I may have been speeding, but I wasn’t going as fast as the other guy was…”
2. Do you need some humility in your life? (Here’s a trick that will help you. First, compare your marathon time to Ryan Hall’s. Then compare your actions to those of Christ.)
Workout:
John 1:29
Romans 7:7-13
Galatians 3:22
