Have you ever compared your performance, of being an exemplary Christian, to another Christian?

Question

And have you ever thought God has been unfair because so called Christians whom you think are not living an exemplary life are getting blessings you have asked God for, but have not yet received?

Thanks Esther, you are right on target!!

Marcus75, you are a tremendous inspiration. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your work of truth!

Answer 1

I think that happens to everyone at one time or another. It's in our nature to pass judgement on each other...to feel envious. Unfortunately, when we fall into this trap, we are comparing ourselves to the wrong standard. The bible does not say that I should strive to be as righteous as Mr. Smith in the next pew....it says that I am to strive for the righteousness of God. The meaning of the word 'Christian' is 'Christ-like'. When I start looking around to see how I compare to other Christians, I inevitably take my eyes off of Christ.

When it comes right down to it, the bible is very clear that all of us have sinned and come short of the righteousness of God. Picture two people dangling from a building by chains. If I have just one broken link in my chain, I'm still going to end up in the same place as the man with a dozen broken links. How does it benefit me, then, to be "better" than another Christian when I am still a wretched sinner in the eyes of God? It's not always easy, but we must always remember that Christ is the standard by which we should judge ourselves.

I think it's also important to realize that not all things that we would consider "blessings" are of God. If Mr. Smith has two new cars and a big luxurious house while my rusty pinto just passed 150,000 miles, that doesn't necessarily mean that he is being blessed more than I. We wrongly tend to equate material possession with blessings, but that is not how God sees it. Money and material goods can be a curse just as easily as a blessing, if they serve to take your focus away from God. It's the blessings of the spirit...peace, contentment, patience....that we should seek more than anything. The rest is all temporary.

Answer 2

that can be so easy to do- however when we stop and think who we should look to- we realize none of us are exemplary. It is only by the blood of Christ and His grace that we can stand at all. I need to remember that God knows what is best for me, and if He chooses to bless someone else I need to be praising God with them, instead of complaining. God is the only true judge, who am I to think that I deserve to be given blessing at all- and one more thing- I do have the greatest blessing the world, I have a personal relationship with the living Lord. Praise His name! Great question.

Answer 3

I've doubted god and gotten angry at him and sad... not particularly because of others receiving blessings... i shouldn't compare myself to others in that sense because god loves everyone, and everyone will receive their due accordingly. There's a reason that He chose not to give me what I may have asked for. Sure waiting's tough, but patience is a virtue...
Once you start comparing youself to others, that's when there's trouble, and you start to doubt both god and yourself. There's no sense in trying to compare.
And yes, I suppose I may have compared my performance... more on terms of how those i love or how those that inspire me demonstrate or exemplify god's love daily, and i'd like to do that for someone some day...

skeptical_me

Answer 4

Whoa! I know what a trap that is. Satan would just love to see me entertaining that kind of thought...so I want nothing to do with it! I am grateful for all God has done for me. Have I felt envy of others? Yes. And I ask God's forgiveness for my pettiness...and that He would develop in me a heart of gratitude for the blessings He gives others.

Answer 5

Yes...then I promptly kicked myself and asked forgiveness for being so pridefull. It is one of my greatest weaknesses.