Perhaps we’re better than most. And while this has some benefit, it matters little when we’re comparing ourselves to the wrong standard. We must not let pride blind us to who God has called us to be by comparing ourselves to others rather than to Christ.
Of course, we’re social creatures and some comparisons are natural and even good. For instance, comparing our dress, speech, mannerisms, and the like to others is part of how we forge meaningful social bonds with others and not be treated as a mere outsider. Each culture has its own standards of acceptable behavior and it’s only reasonable to some degree to compare ourselves to this standard. But, as kingdom men, the mark we’re pressing toward is Christ himself. And this makes all other standards irrelevant when we’re not also seeking to imitate him.
For example, we might be a good man according to our peers. And certainly this is better than having a bad reputation. But such goodness matters little when we’re not also being conformed into the image of Christ. Comparing ourselves to the quality of other men is the wrong standard.
And the same is true in marriage. We might indeed be better than most husbands we know. And while this is not insignificant, it’s still the wrong standard. We’re called to love our wife as Christ has loved the church. This is the standard that matters regardless of how much we might otherwise exceed the standards of others.
Likewise, we might read, pray, and serve in church more than the next guy. But the standard set by Christ is for our unity – for us to be one with him as he is with the Father. All else pales in significance.
In the end, it’s meaningless to compare yourself to others, and even come out on top, when Christ is not the ultimate standard you are trying to emulate.
Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash
