MEASURE UP

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend
 themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare
 themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12

When installing a door, measurements are important. You have to be right on the money if you expect the door to work properly. Carpenters are experienced in using measuring tapes to calculate the length and width of every cut. Due to the fallibility of the human eye, they also know how to use a “shim” (a thin wedge of wood) to make slight adjustments to achieve the perfect fit. We tend to measure people in our lives just like the carpenter. Our tools may be a bit different, but the concept is the same. Our “measure of a man” can take different forms. We may use ourselves as a reference point, respecting those who are better than we are and condemning those who fall short of our expectations. Whatever system we choose is quite different than what’s important to God. Do you remember how King David was selected? The people looked on the outside, for someone who was the quintessential ruler; handsome, strong and bold. However, when God chose David as king; He looked at the heart. Take a moment this week to measure yourself against a different type of “tape”. See how you “measure up”.
 
Tattered pages…“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
 
Tattered pages in a Bible are an indication that a person is trying to “measure up”. Too often people depend on others for their spiritual growth. They hardly ever read their Bible, but are quick to judge others on what they “think” it says. We can always learn from good teachers, but even if we are listening to someone who is purported to be scripturally accurate, we must examine the Word like the Bereans (Acts 17:11) to verify the truth of what they say for ourselves. Time spent in study will help us “measure up” as a “workman who does not need to be ashamed”.
 
“Altar-ed” living…“But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” James 2:18
 
“Altar-ed” living is a result of applying Biblical truth to the way we live. If we “confess” a belief with our words but do not allow that belief to change the way we live we fall short of “measuring up”. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul talks about the life “transformation” and that comes from the “renewing” of our minds. We must be willing to figuratively lay our lives on the “altar” as a “living sacrifice” for God. The “tattered pages” of scripture have literally “altar-ed” the way we live our life. We take what is taught in the classroom and apply it in the laboratory of the day to day.
 
Purple hearts…“Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” John 15:20
 
Purple hearts are the medals given to the soldiers in our country who are wounded in battle against the enemy. The joke is that the church is the only organization that “shoots” its wounded. But the reality remains, if you live for God you will be wounded; whether the attacks come from within the church or from without. Jesus told His disciples to expect persecution. By merely indentifying with Christ we are setting ourselves up as a target to those who are opposed to Christ. Don’t be ashamed or surprised at your wounds; but don’t brag about them either. Just be thankful that you were considered dangerous enough to be a target. Tend to your wounds, pickup your faith and continue the charge to “measure up” in the war that Christ has already won.
 
Endless growth…"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”  John 15:5-6
 
Endless growth is the result of being grafted to the vine of Christ. As long as we are connected to Him we will bear fruit. Sometimes we may have to be pruned, but the result is a stronger branch. Think about your growth. Are you stuck in neutral or are you learning every day? Where is your heart; happy with the status quo or hungry to have a closer relationship with God? An honest answer to these questions can be overwhelming because none of us can “measure up”. We all fall short of the mark, whatever that “mark” may be in our life. That’s were grace comes in. Grace is the “shim”. God’s grace allows our imperfections to be adjusted or tweaked for His glory. All of our efforts, all of our failings are accounted for by God’s grace. Ephesians 2: 8 says it this way, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--.” The same grace that gives us salvation, also applies to our inability to “measure up”.
 
So how do you “measure up” in your relationship with Christ? Check your “pulse” this week against the “tape” of “tattered pages, altar-ed living, purple hearts, and endless growth”. Strive for perfection but remember that we all need God’s “shim” of grace in our life to “measure up”. When you see someone else who is struggling to “measure up”, tell them about God’s door of grace and His “shim” as well.