How Do You Measure Up?

2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (KJV)  

What do you consider your measuring stick, and what do you compare your life with, the spiritual measure or how man measures themselves with each other? I have heard this topic come up over the last few years, and for myself can’t quite come to terms with mans’ reasoning on who are you accountable to? Mainly which pastor or organization do you give account to? Many people compare themselves with other people, and limit themselves to mans’ idea of how to live a Godly life in the Spirit; which has unlimited potential for those that choose to follow the Lord and not end up carbon copy, cookie cutter assembly line Christians. After all, in the end who is it that you are really accountable to, and who’s judgment seat are you going to have to stand before, before you are given access to your eternal home? Wouldn’t now be a good time to start living up to His spiritual standards and quit selling yourself short by following mans’?  

Romans 12:2-5 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (3) For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (KJV)  

Most of what I see out there concerning ministries and ministers is based on worldly standards, rather than holding fast to the truth of God’s word. They bend with the times; they compromise on certain issues; and are more concerned with pleasing man than God. So instead of taking the measure of faith that was dealt to each of us, and letting God have His way so that we can see more and more of the gift of life He gave us, many fall short by measuring themselves with each other, thinking large numbers equals success with God. The most important thing for a Christian to know is who they are in Christ, where the Lord has placed them in the body, and fulfilling this duty no matter where or what our Father is asking of them. Once you establish this relationship with the Father, building up a trust and commitment by hearing the message of faith for yourself, you will find the true path of life is not that heavily traveled, and the ones that are building up numbers for the most part are the ones preaching the ear tickling feel good doctrines of man.  

2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (KJV)  

The Lord considers His church the pearl of great price worth dying for.  Despite all this, those that have put themselves in a place of teaching and preaching the word of God, doing it for personal financial gain, making merchandise of people rather than building them up and teaching them who they are in Christ, despicable. I can assure you God does not take too kindly to seeing His children treated like this, anymore than you would want to see your children treated this way. The reason many follow their pernicious, filthy shameless ways is because rather than take the time to listen to God for themselves and hear the message of faith delivered by Christ, they let someone else dictate this message for them, then try to measure up to their standards, and not the standard set forth in the word of God.  

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV)  

How much of yourself are you willing to give to the Lord? Is He a priority in your life, so that the first thing you do in your day is take the time to stop all that you are doing, so that you can hear His message of love for the day? The measure you put out to the Lord is what will be returned to you; so much that it has to be pressed down and shaken together to make room for more, because the living waters are flowing out of you and watering those around you. There is an old saying, in order to keep it you have to give it away. How much of this measure of faith have you put into practice in your life, and what are you basing and comparing your walk with; someone here on earth, or someone seated at the right hand of the Father? Some say the sky’s the limit, but with Christ I say that it is just the beginning. By the way, give doesn’t just refer to money as so often is taught, but rather how much of your life are you willing to lay down for the brethren so that the life of Christ can manifest through you. Whosoever shall lose his life shall find it.  

Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (KJV)  

The purpose of those that are called within the fivefold ministry is to build up the Church, which are the people of God, not the building, and to teach them how to measure up to the stature, maturity of Christ. Those that are able to come to an understanding of the knowledge of the Son of God will be able to grow and mature according to God’s standard and not some manmade self serving one.  

Ephesians 4:14-16 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (KJV)  

When we were children we all thought of certain people that we wanted to grow up too be like, and imitated them. Those that truly mature in the Lord will not be trying to imitate other people, but rather seek to follow Christ and the person He intended for us to be. So grow up Church, and let’s put away childish things. Set your standards according to God’s word and seek those things which are above, and don’t settle for less. It’s time to raise the bar.  

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.