When we look at our lives, what do we see? Seriously, stop and consider your life, and rate yourself based on whatever standard you wish. Now, compare that standard with the one set by God through the Scriptures. How do you measure up? How we rate ourselves, versus what Scripture says about us are often two different things: when we rate ourselves, we often try and set our own actions on a higher pedestal, we fudge some of the numbers to be more favorable, and we generally try and justify ourselves. The sad fact is that, if we were to rate others on the same categories, we would not give them as much grace as we give ourselves. Yet, when compared to God’s perfect standards, our own actions condemn us: we are not good enough, in the least.
In the end, we shall be judged, either by our own goodness against the Law, or by the Righteousness of Christ. The former is a scrutinizing of our lives based upon the standard of the Law, while the latter is based on whether or not Jesus knows us. As the books are opened, and as they are closed, we will know fully what it is we’ve done. Personally, I would rather be judged by the righteousness of Jesus: I am not good enough! I fall short often! I struggle with sin, and I can’t do what I desire to do, and often do what I should not! Thank God, though, that Jesus only had His Father’s will in mind, and stuck to it! Thank Jesus that He took my place and punishment, the perfect lamb of God to atone for my sins! Therefore, I will measure myself by Him, and seek His will and way, that I may live a life pleasing to the Father, for Jesus conquered sin and death, and it is by Him alone that we may conquer sin and death!
Romans 8:1-17
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
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