Tag Archives: competitiveness

June 17
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“When Peter saw him (John), he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’” (John 21:21-22, NIV)

As disciples, our heavenly Father has an assignment for each of us.

It is humanly natural to compare, to contrast, and to compete — but such characteristics have no place in the fellowship of God’s people.  We who belong to God must, instead, strive to cooperate, to collaborate, and to cheer-on all others working with God — even if we don’t comprehend what it is they have been assigned to do by our Lord.

If we don’t see it, what is that to us? We do see Jesus, and it is Him we must follow.

Anything more is a diversion, and anything less is a distraction.  Stay focused.  – Luther

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September 30
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“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! Aspire to see yourself only as God sees you, 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

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June 18
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“When Peter saw him (John), he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’” (John 21:21-22, NIV)

As disciples of Jesus, we each have an assignment to execute in God’s plan. 

It is humanly natural to compare, to contrast, and to compete — but such characteristics have no place in the fellowship of God’s people.  We who belong to God must — instead — strive to cooperate, to collaborate, and to cheer-on all others working with God; even if we don’t comprehend what it is they have been assigned by our common Lord.

If we don’t see it, what is that to us? We do see Jesus, and it is Him alone we must follow.

Anything else is a diversion, and anything less is a distraction.  Stay focused.  – Luther

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