Whom God Commendeth

It’s so easy to make ourselves feel good, isn’t it? We look at those around us who may appear “less spiritual” – those who may not have has high standards – those who are perhaps babes in Christ – those who seem less godly – those who are self-pleasing in our eyes. We scoff and criticize their small efforts in living for God and then compare our growth to theirs.

But do you know what this makes us by doing so? Fools; counted among those that are not wise. We see ourselves as ‘spiritual giants’ where all we are really like is that Pharisee condemning the publican. We are flattering ourselves and self-flattery is the worst form. We deceive ourselves in thinking that we are better than them. We are the godly ones; we have attained.

If we were to look more closely, we would see that our hearts are filled with pride (which to our Lord is an abomination – something despised and hated), selfishness, ingratitude, unkindness, resentment, and perhaps even bitterness.

God sees us for who we truly are. We ought not to be comparing ourselves to the world’s standards or to those around us. But rather, we ought to be looking into the perfect law of liberty: the mirror of God’s Word. This is our guide, our measuring line, our standard. It’s useless to praise ourselves according to man’s standards but oh so worthy to approve ourselves according to God’s standards.

If we take glory in anything, it ought to be in Christ alone. Let us glory in His love which He has bestowed on us; His forgiveness which He has lavished us with; His joy that fills our hearts with singing; His compassion that overwhelms us from day to day; His blessings that never cease to fail; His faithfulness that keeps us strong; and His victory that keep us standing and pressing on.
It is God, and God alone, who can approve and disapprove. It is God who commendeth and praiseth. Our instruction that we have been given is to think of others as better than ourselves.

As we look to our own things, responsible to God alone and looking into His “standard” that we may grow thereby, He takes joy in our humble service to Him. A contrite and broken heart, He will not despise but delight in. He sees us through His blood : forgiven and clean. He sees us through His Son: accepted and loved. He sees us through His unconditional love: pure and holy, striving and panting after Him. He commendeth us and is well pleased.

So next time we want to put others down only to bring us up, let’s remember that our pride is as a stench to God and our works of self-righteousness are but as filthy rags. By putting others down, we bring ourselves even lower.

Let us be mindful to examine ourselves, glory only in our Saviour, seek His approval, and seek to bless and serve others as we do so.

“But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” 2 Corinthians 10:17,18