____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ December 17, 2000 ____________________________________________________ Comparing Ourselves with Others by Tom Edwards Do we love to the same degree that God loves? Is sin something we hate as much as the Lord does? Do we strive to do the will of the Father as diligently as Jesus did while He was on earth? Rather than asking ourselves the above questions, I would think, that many of us would instead compare our spiritual lives to those who are unspiritual, in order to evaluate our own spiritual standing--which could give us a feeling of ``superiority.'' But though we can be happy in well-doing, might we not walk away with a false sense of security if we use only the ungodly--or those whom we view as being ``less righteous''--with whom to compare ourselves? I am reminded of Christ's story of the Pharisee and the tax-collector who both went up to the temple to pray. The former was self-righteous and looked down upon others scornfully. He compared himself to the swindlers, the unjust, the adulterers, the corrupt tax-collector--and thanked the Lord that he was not like them. He then mentioned a couple of his good deeds: twice a week he fasted, and he also gave tithes of all he received. But rather then it being he who was justified in the sight of God, it instead was the humble tax-collector, whom the Pharisee had looked upon reproachfully. The tax-collector did not try to justify himself before God--nor compare himself to those living more wickedly--but simply saw himself as being the transgressor that he was and with deep humility cried out, ``God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'' (Luke 18:9-13). The Lord then concludes by saying, ``I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted'' (Luke 18:14). Apparently, the Lord saw the Pharisee as trying to exalt himself by his comparisons to the wicked and mention of good deeds--and, though not specified, was not the Pharisee primarily with fault due to pride, since the Lord is relating this story with regard to those who were ``self-righteous'' and ``viewed others with contempt'' (Luke 18:9)? It appears the Pharisee was puffed-up with arrogance, had an ``I-am-better-than-you'' attitude, and felt confident that his self-righteousness would gain him access into the glories of heaven; but how gravely mistaken he was. Is it, though, always wrong to compare ourselves to others? Wouldn't it be virtually impossible--or at least difficult--not to? For instance, you read in the paper of a cold-blooded murder that was committed and automatically judge it as having been a sinful thing to do and probably, also, at least in the back of your mind, realize how unlike you this action was. Your mind automatically makes a stark contrast between this malefactor and yourself--between his monstrous act of murder and the peaceful life of godliness you strive to maintain. Would it not be similar to trying to refrain from making judgments? When, in reality, we are continually having to do so--and many of them very effortlessly, as if they are some type of moral reflex or an automatic reaction to the various situations in which we are confronted or informed. And is it necessarily wrong to be thankful that we are not thieves, nor murderers, nor liars, etc.? Can we not be grateful unto God that His word has shown us a better way to be? But, without doubt, if we do this by boasting in ourselves, we would then be not much different than the Pharisee in the Lord's parable. In addition, Jesus points out that in order for one to enter the kingdom of heaven, one's righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 5:20). Doesn't this also evoke thoughts of comparison in the hearers? We must first reflect on the lives of the scribes and Pharisees and then--in contrast--to how true spiritual lives should be lived by us in the light of the Scriptures. But, again, would not whether one does this pridefully or simply to please the Lord be a determining factor as to whether it would be rightfully carried out or not? For surely it is a good, healthy sense of well-being to know we are doing the right thing. As the Lord rhetorically asked Cain, several thousand years ago, ``If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?...'' (Gen. 4:7). So, yes, we can--and should--be grateful for the good that we can do; and what higher--and more accurate--tribute can be made than to praise and thank the Lord for our every talent, ability, and virtue? Think also of the numerous examples we have in the Bible of those who suffered the wrath of God because of their bad deeds--examples to help steer us from doing the same (cf, 1 Cor. 10:5-10). So when we look into the mirror of God's word, which contains these many cases, how can we not also see the reflection of ourselves and how we measure up to them (Jms. 1:21-25)? A few nights ago, while returning home from a 5-mile walk, I got caught in the dark on a country road with no street lights and few homes. The possibility of being mugged briefly occurred to me, but then I thought of how much better it would be for me being mugged--rather than it being me who was doing the mugging! I found that thought amusing, comforting, and something I could be thankful for--at least in being the innocent victim. When the seventy, who had been empowered by God, returned from their mission, saying joyfully, ``Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name'' (Luke 10:17). Jesus replied, ''...'I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven'' (Luke 10:18-20). What a wonderful thing these individuals were enabled to do, but even more so, as a reason to rejoice, is simply that their names are in the Lamb's book of life and are, thus, part of the family of God (Rev. 21:27). Though we can be thankful to do good deeds, we know that by them--regardless of how many--we could never meritoriously earn eternal life (cf, Luke 17:10). In other words, if we could be saved by living a perfect life, we would then have reason to boast (Rom. 4:2); but no one can be saved in that manner--''for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'' (Rom. 3:23). So where is the boasting then, in connection with our salvation? Though the apostle Paul was so fervently obedient to the Lord--even willing to undergo numerous adversities on His behalf--still the apostle knew whom to praise for his salvation: ``But may it never be that I should boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world'' (Gal. 6:14). We also need to keep in mind what Paul wrote to the Corinthians, ``For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding'' (2 Cor. 10:12). If one is comparing himself with only others then he is overlooking the greatest standard of all--Jesus Christ Himself! He is the one whom we need to ultimately compare ourselves to. As Peter points out, ''...Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps'' (1 Pet. 2:21). By using Jesus as our standard, we are humbled by His greatness in comparison to ourselves; and if, for example, we were to make a chart that showed from the most unrighteous sinner to the perfect righteousness of God, where would we place ourselves on that scale from one to ten? So there is certainly no reason to get all puffed-up over the good that we can do, but we can certainly be thankful unto the Lord for whatever good we can render. And one of the great bi-products of this is that the world will become a better place! I once heard of a fellow who had a puzzle with a picture on both sides: one of the world, and the other a representation of Jesus. The person had tried again and again to put the picture of the world together, but to no avail. So he eventually gave up. Next, however, he began concentrating on piecing the puzzle so that he could see the representative face of Jesus. This he found much easier to do and soon had the puzzle complete. Then, after he turned the puzzle over, he was able to see the world as it should be--as one. We will each be able to see the world better when we put Jesus first--and the world itself will be a better place when each individual does likewise. So let us, therefore, keep comparing ourselves to Christ--instead of merely to one another--and strive daily to be more like Him, never being boastful in ourselves. For then we will be on the road that will eventually lead to God's eternal heaven, and what can compare with that?! ___________________________________________ Free Bible Courses Upon Request ___________________________________________ The Challenge of Truth by Robert F. Turner There is challenge in TRUTH. Towering, majestic and awesome, it beckons the climber. Great and wonderful, clothed in mysteries, it threatens and promises. Benevolently reaching to the world, it summons all; yet sternly holds aloft its' crown, to challenge each who comes. Below, in railed and graded trails move masses. Camera-clicking tourists, worn by travel, scarce grasp their guide's trained words--and far less understand the magic scene. And as the way grows steeper, more and more are faint and wander aimlessly--adrift in parks and glades of theory, with their creeds. Content to pay lip service to the fountainhead above, they sip its waters, grimace, and add sweets or bitters to their taste. ``It's wonderful,'' they say. ``We must organize a party and bring others to this way.'' So they sip and talk; they praise with shallow phrase, then pause to rest, and resting, sleep. Still TRUTH--glorious, wondrous, whole truth--wreathes its head with hoary clouds and calls with voice of thunder: Onward! Upward! Excelsior! Error shouts derision and stops the ear. With arrogance he hides his wounds and walks another way. Tradition, richly garbed and stiff with age, dares not attempt the rugged path. And weaklings, fearing to look heavenward, support a course that others plan and wish themselves in better clime. But faith responds and in the earnest seeker whets desire. He dares look up. Toiling, sweating, step by step, he climbs. Struggling across downed timbers on the slope, he pushes upward. Pressing through the brush, slipping with the shale, he moves onward. Onward, upward, higher and higher, his lungs afire; he climbs with foot and hand, with heart and soul. For TRUTH he lives and, if needs be, dies. He asks no quarter, hears no scorn. His hope is fastened on this goal, whose misty drapery sometimes part and to his raptured eyes reveal its sun swept crest. He needs no other prize than this for here men humbly walk with God. -- Via Plain Talk, August 1964 ___________________________________________ News & Notes Greetings to all of our visitors this day! Please come again. ________________________________________ Avondale CHURCH OF CHRIST P.O. Box 421 1606 Glen Willow Rd., Avondale, PA 19311 (610) 268-2088 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 11:00 A.M. Worship 6:00 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:00 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (610) 925-3567 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://www.mypage.onemain.com/tedwards/avondale ________________________________________