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Thursday,
November 29, 2007
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 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. 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. For as we have many members in one body, and all
members have not the same office: 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. And many shall follow their pernicious ways;
by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 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, are 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 and 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, 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 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; For the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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 the
build up the Church, which are the people of God, not the building, and
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
man made 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; But speaking the
truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even
Christ: 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.
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