Comparisons

The other day I thought back to the pre-teen and early teen years and the numerous ways I tried to push the envelope; such as playing rock albums just loud enough to get on my father's nerves. I was known to play certain songs over and over if he disliked them. He was a sergeant in the Houston Police Department's criminal intelligence division and then narcotics division during those years. Yes, I did crank up Eric Clapton's Cocaine frequently, then one day the album disappeared, it did not take highly developed detective skills to determine my mother was behind the said album's disappearance.

On a few occasions when being disciplined by my parents, I somehow thought it was wise to say at least I am not as bad as ________ or at least I don't do drugs or something equally as dumb. Comparing my bad behavior to others' worse behavior did nothing to appease my parents or soften the punishment. Bad behavior is bad behavior, it stands on it's own "merit" so to speak.

I am astounded when I hear Christians try to justify sinful behavior by comparing themselves to others or compare their Christian walk and deem it better than someone else's walk. God does not compare us to one another, He loves us equally, we are all the apple of His eye. He sent His Son to die for us, to take on our sin and iniquities. The next time you find yourself comparing your Christian walk or sin or lack of sin to others, stop, repent, and pray.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.