False Comparisons

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."

When I was in high school, I worked at a paper factory that often used scales to weigh the bundles of paper to determine whether we had enough paper in each bundle. On the scale was a certificate that certified the accuracy of the scales. Once a year a government agency would come in with their weights to be sure the scales were accurate so that customers were getting for what they paid.

In my childhood home, we had a piano that my mother would play. I remember watching a man tune our piano. He used an instrument that measured the pitch of each key to make sure that the piano was in tune. It would be easy to try and tune the piano by ear, but the comparison would not be an accurate comparison.

In the verse above, we are told that there are some things that are unwise for us to do to determine our spirituality. He said there were some who compared themselves to others to determine their spirituality. Then there were others who commended themselves for their spirituality because they used others to determine their accomplishments. In both cases the determination of these things were false measurements.

You cannot measure spirituality by comparing yourself to others. First, you don't know how much others have grown. Just because you may be more separated from the world than another person does not mean that you are more spiritual than they. For instance, I grew up in a Christian home. When I got saved, I was not living in a home where vices were present and where worldly living was a way of life. I grew up in a home where we went to church every service. When I got saved I didn't have to go far to "look" like a good Christian, whereas someone saved out of a wicked life would have to grow tremendously to get to the same level. Yet, for one to be saved out of a wicked life and to be close to where I was when I got saved means they had to grow more than I did just to get to where I started. In all reality they are the better Christian than I am because they've grown more than I have. This is why it's unwise to measure yourself with others.

Likewise, it's unwise to measure your accomplishments with the accomplishments of others. A younger person should accomplish more than an older person because they have more energy. God has blessed some people with more talents than others, and to measure your accomplishments with someone who has less talents is unwise, for you should accomplish more than they.

You should only compare your spirituality and accomplishments with whether or not you have done your best with what God expects from you. Stop comparing yourself to others, and ask yourself if you have grown and accomplished what you should to your best capability. It's not how you compare to others, but how you compare to what God expects from you. When you start comparing yourself to God's expectations for yourself, you will find that you still have much more to accomplish. My question to you is this, are you doing the best that you can do? This is the question you need to ask yourself on a daily basis

Transparent Love

Romans 12:9

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

Love should not be a performance, but it should be that which you truly feel. Often people will watch actors in a show or play, and the better they act, the more real they portray themselves to be that person. Yet, actors are merely representing a character this is nothing like them. How often have you heard of an actor who gets in trouble with the law and you are shocked because of who they portrayed themselves to be on some show? You are shocked because the character they portrayed is the opposite of their true representation.

God says, "Let love be without dissimulation." The word "dissimulation" means, "without pretense." In other words, love should not be a performance, but love should be transparent. There should be no ulterior motives behind love. Love should come from the heart. Love should be expressed in actions. It should not have any hypocrisy in it. It should not be given with a deceiving motive. It should always be transparent.

God continues to show His feeling towards dissimulated love by saying we should "Abhor that which is evil;..." God is saying that it is evil to have ulterior motives behind your love. True love is the greatest picture of God's love towards mankind. The reason it is so evil is because you are teaching that all love always has ulterior motives. God has no ulterior motives with His love. He truly loves the world, and He truly wants the best for everyone. We must be careful that we don't paint a picture that love always has some motivation behind it.

In the home, you must always make sure that love is transparent. There should never be motives behind the love inside the home. For instance, you should not allow children to show affection towards you for the sole purpose of getting something from you. This is deceitful and wrong! Love is not given to get something in return. Likewise, married couples must be careful about showing love for the purpose to gaining something in the end. Your love towards your spouse should be transparent. If you want your marriage to grow and become sweeter, then don't allow yourself to show love with motives. Let your love towards your spouse be pure love. Let it be a love that has no motive other than you want them to know your truly care for them.

Moreover, love needs to be transparent in the church. We must not allow our churches to be filled with deceitful accolades for the sole purpose of getting closer to the leader. A pastor must be careful that he doesn't allow the praise of followers to influence whether he promotes someone. This only leads to dissimulated love. If you are not careful, a church can be filled with deceit because everything has a motive behind what they do. This will destroy your church.

Simply put, don't ever show love with ulterior motives. Let your love be pure. Let it come from your heart. Always refrain yourself when tempted to show love so you can gain something. Let your love be a transparent love. When people see that you love transparently, then they will never wonder what your motive is for loving them. This is the type of love that God has for us, and this is the type of love we should show to others.


Needed Characteristics for Making an Impact

Acts 20:24

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

The Apostle Paul made an impact for Christ with his life. There is no doubt that we are influenced today by Paul's ministry. I would imagine every Christian would want to make the same type of impact with their life that the Apostle Paul did. I find in the verse above the characteristics needed to make an impact with your life.

First, Paul wasn't easily moved from serving Christ. He said, "But none of these things move me,..." He was talking about his bonds and afflictions. Though he endured many hardships, they didn't move him to quit. You will never make an impact with your life if you allow hardships to move you to quit. Hardships are going to come, but you must determine to keep on going. When pain compels you to quit, you must keep on going. When disappointment in leadership calls for compromise, you must keep on going. When death tells you there is no more purpose, you must keep on going. When heartache pressures you to abandon your cause, you must keep on going. You will never make an impact if you are easily moved.

Second, Paul wasn't concerned with what happened to him. He said, "...neither count I my life dear unto myself,..." Paul had no restrictions on God's will for His life. He served God with every fiber of his being. You will never make an impact if you hold back effort. If you act with a concern about avoiding battles, then you will not make an impact. You can't live your life with a concern of burning out if you want to make an impact. If you are going to make an impact, you cannot put physical restrictions on your life. You must go all out if you are going to make an impact.

Third, Paul stayed focused on having a good attitude while finishing his course. He said he wanted to finish his course "with joy." You won't make an impact in your world if you allow the battles and heartaches of life to influence your attitude. Those who make an impact with their life keep a good attitude in spite of what they face.

Fourth, Paul made sure nothing sidetracked him from the ministry. He said that he wanted to finish his course in the ministry. You will find there will be many things that will try to sidetrack you from what God wants you to do, but you must not allow these things to pull you off course. Many times the things that can pull you off course are worthy of attention, but you must realize that the ministry God's called you to is of more importance.

Fifth, Paul stayed focused on Jesus Christ. You will never make an impact with your life if you get wrapped up in personalities. The only personality you should wrap your life around is the personality of Jesus Christ. He is Who we serve, and He alone is the only One Whom you should lift up.

Finally, Paul made an impact with his life because he never lost focus of the purpose of spreading the Gospel. You must realize that your purpose for being on this Earth is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter if you are a full-time servant of the LORD or if you are a layman, your purpose in this world is to spread the Gospel.

Christian, this world needs people who will make an impact with their life. Do you see an area where you lack in these characteristics? I challenge you to work on that area so that you can make an impact for Christ with your life.


Bearer of Good News

Acts 13:32

"And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,"

You see them coming, and you're trying to find an escape route or an excuse to quickly get away from them. It is that person who is the bearer of bad news. It doesn't matter how good something can be, they are the one who always sees the negative. The biggest mistake you make is asking them how they are doing, for they will be sure to tell you all the bad going on in their life. Nobody enjoys being around this type of person.

The Apostle Paul was not a bearer of bad news; instead, he was a bearer of good news. Paul said in the verse above, "And we declare unto you glad tidings,..." Paul wanted people to walk away with the promise that they could go to Heaven. Let me make this clear, he wasn't a "prosperity gospel" type of preacher. Paul certainly told people there was a punishment for their sins, but he also encouraged them with good news.

Christians should be the bearer of "glad tidings." Throughout the Scriptures you will find that God wants us to encourage people. You are not going to be one who encourages others if you are always bearing bad news. If you always see the glass as half empty, then people are not going to want to be around you, yet, when you can look at every circumstance and see the good from it, then you will be surprised how people will want to follow you. The world is hard enough without Christians always bearing bad news. This world needs somebody who will bring sunshine to a dark day. Let me give you some suggestions on how to be a bearer of good news.

First, you need to yield yourself to the Holy Ghost. You will notice in verse 52 that the disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost. It is amazing how the Holy Ghost will cause you to see things in a different light. Our flesh tends to see the negative, so we need the Holy Ghost to point our eyes to see life in reality. In other words, the Holy Ghost will allow you to see both the good and bad. When you can see things that way, you will find that the good always outweighs the bad.

Second, look for the good in everything. If you are going to be a bearer of good news, then search for it. I have found that no matter how bad things can get, there is always something good in it. It may take me some time to find it, but there is always good. You must choose to find the good and focus on it if you are going to be a bearer of good news.

Third, avoid those who bear bad news. One of the reasons a person is a bearer of bad news is because they live in a world of bad news. You will never find the good in life if your are constantly feeding yourself with bad news. I'm not saying that you should not live in a world of reality, but you don't have to live in the world of bad. For instance, I rarely watch the news. Instead, I choose to read the news so that I can choose what I want to read. I'm current on world events simply by glancing at the news. If you live in the world of the negative, you will not be a bearer of good news.

Friend, this world needs you to be a person who bears good news. Yes, we ought to bear the good news of the Gospel, but I also believe we ought to be a person who bears good news about life in general. It is a choice to be a bearer of good news, so choose to be that one who brightens the dark days by bearing good news.


Interested in the Insignificant


John 21:22

"Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."

I find that the Apostle Peter was like most Christians. He often said or did things without thinking about the ramifications of his statement or actions. The statement above reveals the spirituality of the Apostle Peter before Jesus ascended. Jesus was trying to prepare the disciples for when He would go to Heaven. On the other hand, Peter asked Jesus about the man who betrayed him. Jesus responded by saying, "...what is that to thee?"

Peter's problem was that he was interested in the insignificant things of life. Jesus wanted Peter to get interested in what was important and that was following Him. Peter was more interested in things and situations than he was interested in something that could literally change lives. It is interesting that when Peter stopped being interested in the insignificant and started getting interested in the important thing of following the LORD, that is when he saw the great blessings in his life.

You must be very careful about getting interested in the insignificant things in life. We are all guilty of becoming interested in the insignificant things and missing the most important things that are right in front of us. Our sinful human nature wants to get interested in knowing the insignificant because we think it will cause us to be the source of knowledge to which people will come. Somehow we think knowing the insignificant will give us stature in our world.

What most don't see is that when you become interested in the insignificant, it causes you to miss the most important things of life. Peter was more interested in the insignificant when he should have been interested in Jesus' presence. What he didn't realize was that Jesus was about ready to ascend to Heaven, and with him interested in the insignificant he wasted time that he could have used to learn more from the Saviour.

Are you allowing the insignificant things in life to cause you to miss the most important things in your life? Are you missing the presence of your spouse because you are more interested in your preferences and hobbies? Are you missing your children because you are so busy with hobbies and making money? Are you missing the blessings of God in your church because you are listening to the gossip? One day when your spouse, children, parents or church is gone you will wish you had been more interested in what was truly important; their presence. Many people have lived a life of regret because they missed what was truly important in life.

Let me encourage you to not let the insignificant things in your life cause you to miss those who are around you. Don't let the insignificant things destroy your relationships. Don't let the insignificant things cause you to miss the presence of a spouse or child. Don't let the insignificant things cause you to miss what God is doing in your church. Get interested in the LORD and people, and you will find that the insignificant things are truly insignificant and unworthy of your attention.


Increase Our Faith


Luke 17:5

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."

One of the most important aspects of the Christian life is our faith. God says in Hebrews 11:6 that it is impossible to please God without faith. The disciples certainly had a desire to please God, and they had heard Jesus talk much about their faith. Knowing their faith was important to the degree of fellowship they had with Jesus, they asked Him to increase their faith. With this question there were several things they were admitting.

First, they were admitting that they already had faith. You can't have something increased that you don't have. I believe that God has placed a portion of faith in every person. The reason I believe this is because you cannot get saved without faith. So, if it takes faith to get saved, and if anybody can get saved, then that means that everyone has some portion of faith in them. If you are saved, then you have already exercised the faith you have.

Second, they were admitting that they didn't have enough faith. It was an admission to Jesus Christ to ask Him to increase their faith. They knew their faith was not what it should be or could be for God to use them. Likewise, you must come to the point in your Christian life when you admit that your faith is not what it should be. Too many times we get to the point in our Christian life when we think we have arrived. Yet, if you have arrived, then why aren't mighty works of faith being shown through your life? God cannot increase your faith until you admit that you don't have enough faith.

Third, they were admitting that it is possible to increase faith. It doesn't matter how weak your faith is, God can increase it. Likewise, it doesn't matter how great your faith is, there is still room for God to increase it. As great as you think your faith may be, there is still room for God to increase it. No matter which side of the spectrum you fall on, it is possible for your faith to increase.

Fourth, they were admitting that Jesus is the only One Who can increase faith. Faith is a spiritual grace, and only Jesus can increase it. You will fail if you try to increase your faith alone. You need to realize your helplessness, and rely upon Jesus to increase your faith.

Why do you need your faith increased? First, you need your faith increased so that God can do mighty works through you. Jesus showed in verse 6 that with their faith increased they could move mountains. Friend, there are mountains in your life and in the lives of others that God wants moved, but it will take your faith to increase for those mountains to be moved. You need your faith increased so that God can move mountains through you.

Second, you need your faith increased so that you will keep a right perspective of yourself. Verses 7-10 talk about the unprofitable servants who, after doing their duty said, "...we have done that which was our duty to do." When God increases your faith, you will realize what He did through you had nothing to do with you, but it all had to do with Him. The greater the faith, the better perspective a person will have of themselves. The smaller the faith, the more a person will point to themselves. On the other hand, the greater the faith a person has the more they will point to Christ.

Christian, your daily prayer should be to ask God to increase your faith. The degree of faith you have will determine what God can do through you. Realize your lack of faith and ask God to increase it so that He can do greater works through you.