Measuring Your Progress as a Christian
How do I measure my Christian progress? At times I become discouraged at my slow pace. I keep making the same mistakes, or I go back to making mistakes I thought I was beyond.
We've lived in our home for 8 years. There is a tree in our front yard. Looking at that tree this morning, I cannot tell any difference in how it looked 8 years ago, but if I look at photographs from back then, and now I can clearly see growth.
Psalms 1:1-3 KJV Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper
We are to be like trees and not like weeds which spring up quickly, and whither and soon die. Our growth is to be sure. Growth rings inside us, not apparent from the outside, but progress nonetheless, building our strength day by day.
A great danger is when I am tempted to compare my progress with others, and become satisfied that I'm doing well because I'm doing better than they are.
Luke 18:10-12 KJV Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Comparing ourselves to others is pride. Taking satisfaction from how superior we are to others is sin. We are to love others as deeply as we love ourselves. We will be judged by our actions alone, not our actions relative to others.
Matthew 7:2-4 NLT For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?
The only appropriate yardstick for my progress, can be God, and this will ensure that I remain humble, and always dissatisfied. . . hungry for growing closer to Him and the ideal, which He sets for me.
Matthew 5:48 KJV Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Luke 18:13 KJV And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I am making progress. I still fight battles, but I don't fight the same battles as I was fighting 26 years ago, when I first came to God. I have had victories. My progress is slow, and largely invisible to others, and even to myself until I look back at a spiritual snapshot of who I was, and who I am today.
As much as I need the patience of others, I must also be patient with myself, and not become discouraged.
A favorite poem:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Miles to go before I sleep, and each step of my journey, I pray towards God, never away from Him. . .
I love You my God. . .
Dave
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