Comparison, Judging and Testing

The verses for my reflection today are from Romans 14:1-10 NIV:

[1] "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. [2] One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. [3] The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. [4] Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand." 

[5] "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. [6] Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. [7] For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. [8] If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living." 

[10] "You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat."

These verses are closely related to the verses I was reading and reflecting upon yesterday, which were from Paul's letter to the Galatians, and having to do with comparison and boasting only in the Lord, having a proper perspective about one's self.  Today Paul is writing about not judging others in their walk and obedience to the Lord.  Here are those verses from yesterday - Galatians 6:1-10 NIV:

[1] "'Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [3] If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. [4] Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, [5] for each one should carry their own load. [6] Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor."

It seems that the verse 4s are related to each other, for they each speak about the individual and allude to their relationship with the Lord, which is unique.  We can get caught up in the idea that somehow our purpose, is everyone else's purpose.  It is my belief that the Lord treats us each uniquely as each of us is unique in the world.  We somehow think that by comparing ourselves to others, judging their actions, thoughts or beliefs that we move ourselves forward in our purpose.  

Recently there have been several videos of racers who are in the lead, turning to look at how far ahead they are, and stumbling and falling flat.  I was reminded of those videos as I read these verses this morning.  There is something about comparing ourselves that takes our eyes off the goal, and off the Lord and that is dangerous.  Paul again writes something that is very helpful in his letter to the Philippians 3:13-14 NIV: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

We do our best in following the Lord, embracing His call for our lives, encouraging others in their pursuit, but not comparing ourselves. As I was thinking about this, I had an image pop into my mind.  What I saw was a bunch of students in a classroom, taking a test.  What they didn't know was that they were all taking a different test, each unique to them.  I could imagine the students looking around trying to see how they were doing compared to their fellow classmates... and the teacher smiling and informing them that the test in front of them was different than the test in front of everyone else, and designed specifically for them.  Suddenly, there would be no reason to look around, no one that could help with the answer.  Each student would be locked in on their own test... and responsible for completing their test themselves.

Wouldn't it be a great thing if we learned to live this way in our pursuit of the Lord, and His call in our lives?  He is better than the best teacher, He knows each of us perfectly and wants each of us to succeed.  He is most interested in our success, for we are representing Him.  

Can we learn to encourage one another without comparing ourselves to each other?  Can we be for one another, and also embrace our personal call and invitation in Him?  Can we focus on the test at hand, and not the test in front of our brothers and sisters?  Can we believe that the Lord is fully capable of teaching and guiding all of us, and that He doesn't need our help?  

Today I am encouraged to look at my own life, to consider those things the Lord has invited me to do, and to focus on them only.  I love Paul's statement - "To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand." 

Amen, He is able!