Test Yourself Against Yourself

In our world today, it is accepted to compare to others. We are engaged in social media, and in the idea that my everything is great. Now it seems as though there is a sense that one is only speaking of themselves and not comparing, the reality is that there is a boasting sense when there is little to know need for that boasting. There is an underlying comparing of mine to yours, even though I cannot see yours specifically, there is still an element of look at me and how good things are for me.

I have a duty as a Christian to follow Christ and compare my work for Him against the work I have been tasked with for Him. My works are my works and are not to be compared to anyone else.

“⁴But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” — Galatians 6:4 (ESV)

I am to test my work against my work and none other. I am to see that my work has been done for the LORD and that I am here to please Him and no one else.

This morning I was challenged with God’s word in that when I first read, I see that I am to be concerned for the burdens of my neighbor, and then I see that I am to boast in myself. Confusing to say the least, until I began to study and not just take the words on the page. I am to support my neighbors, yet not compare them to me. I am to test myself against myself and simply care for and lift up my neighbors.

“³For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁵For each will have to bear his own load…²Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:3 & 5 & 2 (ESV)

My role in this world is to “bear one another’s burdens” and “test” my work against my own work for the LORD. I have a duty to my neighbor and brothers/sisters in Christ to share in their burdens and allow God to care for mine.

What are you caring for as relates to your neighbors and your own burdens? Are you concerned with how you look in the eyes of others? What if you were to compare yourself against yourself and the work you are to complete for the LORD?