measuring

Measuring

My husband and I led an Adult Sunday School class last week in which we studied the mind of Man and its functions. In describing one function the Bible uses the words “compare”, or “measure” (2 Cor 10:12), depending on the translation. It is how we judge or discern things, and upon this function we decide whether to continue with what we are doing, or to change. Today the Lord picked up on the topic of measuring again, only this time it was in the context of the Church. The scripture was Rev 11:1, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar and count the worshipers there.” In this scripture the Lord is measuring the temple, which we are. In bringing this scripture the Lord also related the word “measure” to Eph 4:13; there is a measure to which we are to grow up into, and that is the measure of the full stature of Christ. Though we individually are measured by God, the Body of Christ, His Church, is also measured by God.

After this the Lord quoted from Rev 3:1 & 2. “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” What the Lord began bringing across my spirit is that there is a trend in which the Church is beginning to focus on the reputation that works bring. A reputation is the result of a measurement of Man. The Church is being tempted to want something visible to measure their success against; something that can be measured or counted by themselves and by others. When this happens, the true content of our walk of faith begins to die. If we want a reputation more than a walk with our Lord, we will not measure up to His full stature.

Why would we be tempted to measure ourselves and fall into such error? One reason is that satan, our adversary sows seeds of distrust towards God, causing us to feel left out of His blessings and full intentions for everyone else. Another reason is that our spirits lust to envy (Jms 4:5), and this is a hard habit to break. We see it in the world as the “competitive spirit”, which causes men to get ahead. We see it in the Church as boasting about numbers and projects accomplished. In the world men measure themselves against each other and determine their success by such things as growth, numbers, and reproduction. People become impersonal commodities to them. But we are not to have this kind of pride. It is called “pride of life” (1 Jn 2:16).

God wants to measure us by His Son, Jesus. That is the standard we are to have, and the growth we should want to attain to. We are measured with a rod, which is mentioned again in Rev 21:15 as is golden. It has been tried in the fire and proven pure and valuable. He is called “Worthy”, the standard by which all men will be measured. I believe the Lord’s intention in bringing this word today is to call us all to lay down all that we want to accomplish in Him, except what He has called us to. He has His eye on His own and is building the Church up into the stature of His Son, Jesus Christ. Together with Him we will accomplish the works appointed to us. And He will not disappoint us. Amen.