Compared to Whom?

January 17th, 2025

There is hardly a more dangerous trap for followers of Christ Jesus than this: comparing oneself to others.

It leads to a litany of problems ―conceit, excusing sinful behavior, vain imaginations, idolatry. You name it, it’s in the Pandora’s Box that we open when we shift our focus from the sinless Messiah to our fellow man.

Yet, it’s so easy to do. It seems as if we’re hard-wired to justify ourselves by any standard other than that of the Perfect One to appease our deceitful hearts, the wickedness of which is unknowable (Jeremiah 17:9). We do it to soothe our delicate egos, to fortify our sense of self-worth, to add to ourselves something.

Paul tells us in Philippians 2:21: “For all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

In short, comparing ourselves to others is a way to qualify ourselves for more favor with God. Often, our obedience is driven by self-interest, our morality tainted by the desire for the approval of those around us. Lacking the proper motivation prevents us from resting in the grace He freely gives the unqualified―sinners.

So, what is the remedy for what ails us, this incessant desire to self-justify, to look better to others, to feel better about oneself? For it is easy to give ourselves a false sense of security when our vision is horizontal rather than vertical.

There is always someone at whom we can look and point the figure and say, “Well, at least I’m not like that guy.” Or, “At least I don’t drink, smoke, or chew, or go out with girls that do.” Or, “I have it right because I do (this, that, or the other thing), and I don’t (engage in or allow such-and-such), so God has to love me.”

Ah, the human condition, so self-serving and prideful, and often, so subtly subversive that we don’t even recognize it. There is a reason why, over and over, the Scripture warns us against the practice of measuring ourselves up against other imperfect beings or any standard other than the perfect holiness of Jesus.

Here are just a few of those dangers:

1. Serving ourselves

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

2. Setting ourselves above others

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3)

3. Lacking understanding

“Not that we dare 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” (2 Corinthians 10:12).

4. Usurping God’s authority

“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).

I ask again, how do we guard ourselves from this trap we tend to fall into―for me at least―daily?

Well, we could start with what Jesus replied to the question:

“Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

And (Jesus) said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

You might say, “But Lord. Have you seen my neighbors? Don’t you realize what they’re like?”

Of course, Jesus knows.

Or maybe simply, “Lord, how do I love You with all my heart?”

It all goes back to the gospel message. Our justification before God, our once-for-all acquittal, began there. Christians too often tend to treat the gospel as simply the departure point at the train station from whence they embark on their journey. After that, maturity is achieved, dragons slain, and great things accomplished for Christ by our own hardy efforts to become sanctified in our new life.

But losing sight of the cross is a fool’s errand, and apart from grace, we are all fools. Leaving the light of the cross inevitably leads to one of two things and neither is good. One will either stumble and fall into sin and despair, or one will become proud in their self-righteousness and often not even realize their morality and even obedience are self-serving.

The message of the gospel is this: I have nothing; Christ did everything.

Not only do we need to hand off our weaknesses but also the good things we do that are not motivated by the greatest commandment. When we think we have something to offer in and of ourselves, we are prone to comparing ourselves to other fallen human beings. Don’t fall into that trap.

Stay near the cross. See yourself for who you are apart from Christ―a sinner wholly unqualified to receive eternal life. See Jesus, the only One who ever qualified by a perfect life, exchange His righteousness for our guilt. See His great compassion and mercy poured out for you. See Jesus, God our Creator, manifested as one of us, how He loved you so, and took the place where we all should go.

Fall deeper in love and let His love transform you from the inside out. He alone gives worth―His worthiness for our worthlessness. Don’t leave the gospel behind, rather live it by His redeeming, transforming grace day by day.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3, BSB)

We’re all broken. We’ve all gone astray. We all need Jesus.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, all verses quoted here are from the ESV.

Author Bio:
Brian Miller is a longtime newspaper columnist and freelance writer. He and his wife Bethany, a fellow “preacher’s kid,” are currently residing on South Padre Island, TX. Brian seeks to use lessons learned in his life of God’s unchanging love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness to bring hope to others who may be struggling. You may write to him at bd1976@pm.me.