Romans Chapter 5: verses 20-21 (NLT)
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There is a saying that “comparisons are odious.” It’s so easy to compare ourselves to others and then feel disheartened if we don’t match up to them, or to set ourselves an unrealistic target which we never seem to achieve. That can cause us to lose confidence, even hope, and maybe give up on ourselves.
Israel couldn’t keep the law that had been established by God. They could see how far short of it they came. Some may have tried to keep it, but often they didn’t even try. That’s where God’s grace comes in. None of us can keep the law, and we all fall short so often. But Jesus fulfilled the law and made restitution for us. Grace is indeed as wonderful as Paul says. It is indeed God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. We have done nothing to earn it. Therefore, since we are all in the same position, we don’t need to make comparisons to anyone else. According to our ability to keep God’s law we are no better or worse than anyone else.
We just need to realise that we can’t earn God’s favour, and rejoice that Jesus did that for us. That takes the pressure off comparing ourselves to anyone else.
Dear Lord,
I don’t think I will ever fully appreciate just how much Jesus has done for me. I thank You that because of Your grace I can live my life as You intended for me. I don’t need to compare myself to anyone else. Thank You, Jesus for giving me the right standing before God that I could never earn for myself. Amen.