If you’ve ever built anything or been involved in contract work, you have heard this statement. It makes perfect sense, how many have measured once and cut twice? How many feet of perfectly good lumber have been wasted because of the violation of this rule?
There are standards and disciplines represented here; plumb lines keep houses square. Measurements save time and money. Accuracy in building means you have a well-constructed structure which can stand the test of time. This is not rocket science. We believe these things if we use common sense, but do we apply these other areas of life? I specifically mean, spiritual life?
What is the measurement by which our lives are measured? The tendency is to measure ourselves by others, or worse yet, by what our mind tells us about ourselves.
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. 2 Corinthians 10:12
This could be good or bad. If it allows a comparison to a godly brother or sister, it humbles us, but it could inflate our ego. We need a consistent standard to not only judge those and things around us but most importantly, to judge ourselves. We don’t always think rightly.
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
This is the appropriate way to judge, by the truth. The word is truth, Christ is truth, let’s compare ourselves to him, his word, and our lives will be transformed by the power of his grace and his mercy. This requires no secret formula, no special revelation, only reading, meditating, and understanding the Bible.
Kevin
Uncommon Faith 