"10 For they say, "His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of NO ACCOUNT."
11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.
12 Not that we "DARE TO to classify or COMPARE" ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding."
Wealth is something that a lot of people use to compare themselves with others. It is a common misconception that the size of one's bank account determines one's social status or acceptance. A person in a political position can be mistaken to be better than they really are. Even I can can judge myself against a fellow person and determine myself to be as good, or bad, as they are.
When one is hospitalized with a terminal illness, their wealth or status doesn't mean a whole lot to them. Would you COMPARE yourself to someone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness that will take their life within the next few weeks? Or would you wish to go through the financial difficulties of someone living in abstract poverty? When we "DARE TO COMPARE" ourselves to others don't we attempt to make ourselves look better than we really are?
But when we compare ourselves to JESUS CHRIST all comparisons seem futile. Our wealth, our health, our spiritual condition, our social status.......nothing measures up to the PERFECT LAMB OF GOD! 2 Corinthians 10:17 instructs us "Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD"! If we COMPARE ourselves to anything other than JESUS CHRIST, aren't we essentially saying that person or thing is our god? Aren't we elevating ourselves, or that person, to a higher status than we/they deserve? What have we/they accomplished outside of CHRIST to merit any recognition?
We should slow our lives down, and take the time to pray about who/what we "DARE TO COMPARE" ourselves to! In 2 Corinthians verse 13 Paul writes "but will boast only with regard to the area of influence GOD ASSIGNED TO US". If we do anything that others think praiseworthy, it is only because GOD placed that inside us ("good, acceptable and perfect" Romans 12:2). Matthew 15:19 reveals what our "hearts" would do on their own (evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander). Now, if you desire, you may "DARE TO COMPARE"!!
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