Listening to the Holy Spirit:
True righteousness is without arrogance. Strength is given in encouragement. He who lifts is better than he who is shown to be right. My Spirit draws the broken; a bruised reed it does not break. It grows what is weak, convicts of the sin, but with gentleness of a loving heart. For He who loves is not quick to condemn, and does not lift himself on the backs of the accused. Love keeps no record of wrong, and does not boast. Protect and do not think yourself better than another, in knowledge nor holiness. I ask more of those more gifted, and less of those bare. You do not know My expectations of either. You are not greater for winning, for it is My arm that strengthens you. Condemn not your brother, and take no pride in your strength over him. I alone am judge, and it will not be one to another, but of the heart you alone carry.
Luke 12:48b (NIV) – From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Matt 25:21 (ESV) – His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
James 4:17 (ESV) – So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Taking It to Work:
There is a story told of two brothers who loved to run and race. Whatever race they entered, these two were on top. They raced in grade school, high school, and college, both winning 1st and 2nd place time and time again. But it was always the same, the older brother always came in first, and the younger never could quite overtake his older sibling, and would always settle for second, although always with a smile and good attitude. They continued to race all through life, even to the senior citizen’s olympics, where nothing changed, the older brother taking first, and the younger second.
As the story goes, they both died and came before the Lord. He congratulated the two runners, and presented them with His own pair of heavenly trophies. With confident smile, the Lord presented the trophies. To the surprise of both, the younger brother recieved the 1st place trophy, and for the first time ever, the older was offered the 2nd.
Sure that the Lord had made a mistake, but not wanting to be rude, the older brother cleared His throat. “Lord, I think you got us mixed up. I think the trophy that was meant for me, my brother got.” His younger brother silent, hoping that was not the case.
The Lord smiled, addressing the older, “Yes. You always did come in ahead of your brother, but I fashioned each of you, and I know each his effort. I have awarded your brother highest, for in each race, without exception, his speed was all he had, exhausting completely his ability and will, but you my son, in not one race did you achieve such excellence, for I gave to you far more ability, and never was it spent, as you ran only enough to conquer the stride of your brother. Your speed was greater, but his efforts fully warrant, what yours did not.”
Winning, being right, becoming number one, getting that title or promotion – these things cannot only make us more money, but can cause us to believe that we are better than others. Our culture, even among Christians, can reinforce this very false belief. Those things that make us look successful are not God’s measuring stick. In His eyes, it is more important that we use all we have to run well the race for Him, rather than prove ourselves superior to others.
It can be a temptation for us all, so be aware, we are playing for an audience of One. He alone knows how well we are doing with what we have been given. Don’t compare yourself to anybody, but instead, think of that day soon when you’ll stand before Him. What will He be thinking of? What will He be remembering about your life when he says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”? Contemplate that, as His Word works in you, today.
