If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that we have been emphasizing passages that speak of our relationship with “one another” in Christ.  We have looked at this from a positive standpoint, considering how we should treat one another.  But some of the “one another” passages tell us how we should not treat one another in Christ.  Let’s consider a couple of those as we close out this week.

The first passage is 2 Corinthians 10:12.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)
¹² 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.

One thing we should never do is set one another up as standards of judgment.  This is what some of the saints at Corinth were doing, and I am afraid that this is a mistake that many in the church continue to make today.  Some think that as long as they are living a better life than some others in the body of Christ, they are alright.

Someone says, “I know I gossip a little, but I don’t gossip as much as _____ does.”  Someone else says, “My clothes may be a little immodest, but compared to the way _____dresses, mine are not that bad.” 

Those who are inclined to think like this can always find a name to put in the blank.  The problem is that the standard by which we are to be judged is not other brethren.  This is why Paul said that those who were comparing and measuring themselves by one another were without understanding.  The KJV says they are not wise.

Just because we live better than someone else in the body of Christ does not mean that our lifestyle is pleasing to God.  If we want to please Him, we must live according to His Word.  That is the standard by which we will be judged.

John 12:48 (ESV)
⁴⁸ The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

The Word of God is the only standard that we should use when determining if we are living right or not. Brethren are sometimes weak and unlearned in the Scriptures, and even the strongest in Christ can and do make mistakes.  The Word of God is infallible.  As long as we are doing what the Bible tells us to do, we know that we are right with God and ready for the day of judgment.  Think about gossiping again.  Does the Bible ever tell us that a little is okay?  No, here is what the Bible does say:

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

The standard by which I am going to be judged is not that I outdo my brethren when it comes to controlling my tongue, but rather to not allow any corrupt talk to come out of my mouth.  According to our standard, that is, the Word of God, a little gossip will condemn us just like a lot of it will.

There is nothing wrong with looking at others in Christ and following their good example if it is in accordance with the Word of God.  In fact, Paul tells us to do this (Philippians 3:17).  What we must avoid is thinking that we are okay just because we are living better than someone else in Christ.  That kind of comparison is not wise because it might simply result in two people being lost instead of one.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.