“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:3-5, NIV)
Today’s scripture warns us against self-deception, pretense, and the perils of comparing ourselves against others.
Elevating ourselves at the expense of others is easy: We can always find someone else less virtuous, less compassionate, less generous, less devout, and less holy than we.
However, God doesn’t grade on the curve. Jesus is the hard standard for divine judgment. All other standards are either false or deceptive. How do we compare when measured against Christ (which is a practical translation of what it means to be “Christian”)?
When we think we are something we are not, we act in accordance with our deception and are, in effect, pretenders.
Exhibit moral courage! Always regard yourself as your Heavenly Father does, and live-up only to His standard. Then, you will have no fear of being uncovered as a plagiarist, a pretender, or a prideful poacher. – Luther
