Your main thrust was that elders (congregational leaders) are human, humble, socially mature, spiritually mature, and called. Because most people don’t have a clue what “spiritually mature” really means, you urged us to look at Christ, to compare ourselves and potential elders to Christ, “the standard.” WWJD—what would Jesus do?

In the 2 Corinthians chapters you mention previously, isn’t Paul defending his ministry and his authority because he is under some sort of personal attack? So he makes some comparisons in his defense, “boasting” in his weakness as a way of showing his credentials — having worked, suffered, nearly martyred for the cause of Christ. But although he can make these awesome comparisons, his point isn’t that we ought to compare ourselves to others, but that we should be aware of how weak we are and of how Christ transforms those weaknesses into strengths. For example, you were telling me the other day that a person who has endured trials and failures (addiction, medical issues, financial woes) might be able to better serve those who face similiar struggles.

So, perhaps our goal in any comparisons that might be made is to view ourselves with humility, imitate Christ as the standard of righteousness we long to achieve, and look for ways that God might call us to submit our weaknesses to him for his use.

Whether I made my point well or not, or deserve your gracious statement, Bravo!

Perhaps the best “comparison” scripture of all is Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 11. In verse 17 he prefaces the remarks he is about to make with a disclaimer that “I am not speaking as the Lord would, but in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting.” Then in verse 21 he says (NASB), “To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison…” And of course the denouement of the entire section is seen powerfully in 2 Corinthians 12.9, 10.

May we all be as weak as Paul, and therefore as reliant on Christ. And may we work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Still, in the race we are running, we strain for the prize ahead, not to get ahead of our neighbor.

A catchy phrase, that, and I like it both for its wording and its intent. I agree that our eyes should be on Jesus and not on those who are running beside us, but I’m not sure that it is a bad thing to do some comparing along the way.

For instance, Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5.20, NASB). Jesus is not setting up a competition, but at a minimum he is acknowledging that there is some basis for comparison.

But it is important to remember that there are two general aspects to Christianity, and I think it is important to not get them confused with each other. One is salvation, and we are saved by grace, not by works. The other is living as disciples of Christ — nothing to do with salvation — and it is there, I think that we have not only the ability, but even the duty, to do a little bit of comparing.

Not necessarily with others, perhaps, but at least with ourselves. (See Hebrews 5.11-14.)

…your “natural” Christianity already makes you better than most, and that is good enough for you.

I know you weren’t recommending that kind of personal comparison of our spritual prowess, but it’s something we do instinctively. But if we do that, we could become arrogant or dejected when we don’t have all the information and it’s completely moot in terms of salvation, anyway. Jesus teaches that what’s important is the heart, the attitude, the goal — all of which can be hard to perceive, and the evidence may be obscured by outward works.

I’ll never forget a conversation I overheard many years ago between two missionaries. One was talking about how anxious she was to go home to the States to see her sister, who was “way more spiritual than I am or will ever be.” I was shocked that someone would compare herself so openly to another. I was perplexed over the definition of “more spiritual than.” I was bothered that someone would have such a fatalistic attitude over her own spiritual condition.

Now, though, I wonder if she was mourning a lazy dependence on her “natural” Christianity and her status as a woo-hoo missionary, longing for more but unwilling to get there. Ultimately, she returned to the States and joined a passionate, Spirit-filled, tongues-speaking house church. Although a lot of the work you mention is individual in nature, an on-fire community can be a tremendous help in providing impetus and high expectations for the journey.

Still, in the race we are running, we strain for the prize ahead, not to get ahead of our neighbor.