It doesn’t matter how old we get we still must improve ourselves not only as human beings but also as Christians.

In order to accomplish this we must be able to look at ourselves clearly for what we truly are and what we have become. We too often see ourselves as what we once were or what we would like to be.

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face” 1Cor._13:12

Too often our actions result in discouragement to others and we don’t even realize it. In order to see ourselves more clearly, we should use Christ as our standard.

1. Would Christ gossip about others?
2. Would Christ have double standards?
3. Would Christ discuss negative or positive topics?
4. Would Christ try to help or hurt his church? (By not helping, we’re hurting)
5. Would Christ support the active Christians in his church?
6. Would Christ use every opportunity to be a positive role model and invite others to church?

The list can go on. Different individuals have different talents and different weaknesses. The real challenges are not finding problems in others, but to find our own problems and faults. After that the ultimate test then is to turn the negatives into positives, or the wrong into right, and ultimately change.

By keeping Christ as our pattern we will be kept very busy improving our own lives we will not have time for negative, unproductive activities. This will result in a positive example that will ultimately be Christ-like.   

© Ernest S. Watkins

 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Matthew_7:3 (NKJV)