Teen Tuesday: Christian or Christ-like?

 II Corinthians 10:12 "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 

 We cannot justify sinning or doing wrong because other people are doing wrong.  You have probably heard your mother say, “If your friend jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?”  We should stop comparing ourselves to others, whether it is to make ourselves look better, or to justify something we have done wrong.  God tells us that if we compare ourselves to others around us, we are not wise. 

 We are to fashion ourselves after Christ, not our friends.  This is a much tougher comparison, because Christ is perfect.  When we compare ourselves to Christ, our sins become obvious and demand change.  If we are honest, we must humble ourselves and ask for His forgiveness for our sins.  If we will constantly compare ourselves to Christ, we will have to change our outlook on others.  We will not be able to stand in a position of pride above anyone else.  All Christians are imperfect people striving to be like a perfect Saviour.  If we keep our focus on Christ, we will keep growing our entire life.  This is what the Christian life is all about, striving to be more like Jesus!