Oftentimes, we can look to another brother or sister in Christ and are amazed at what they’re doing. You might even admire them but be careful that you don’t compare yourself or your relationship with God, with theirs.

God created us differently, speaks to each and every one of us differently but also, our relationship with Him is also different. Jesus died on the cross so that we could be reconciled to the Father. Through Jesus we are made righteous, have access to God, and have a relationship with Him for ourselves.

We’re all unique.

You might be encouraged by how “on fire” for Jesus this person is, or how much they know the bible. I think it’s great to have people in your world or other Christian leaders that push you to grow in your relationship with Christ. You can be encouraged, but don’t emulate them. The definition for emulate is to ‘copy, imitate, mimic’ (Dictionary.com).

Instead of rushing off to buy every book they’ve read or subscribe to every reading plan. Go to your secret place, have your quiet time and pray to God. Ask God to increase your thirst and hunger for His word. And you will be amazed at how God will lead you and guide you because this is your own relationship with God.

At the end of the day that’s their own individual relationship with God. What we don’t realize is, we can unknowingly put other Christians as the standard instead of Jesus who is our example (not the exemption).

Christ is our only example.

I believe one of the reasons some people harden their hearts to Christianity is because they’ve seen Christian practice a lifestyle that contradicts what they preach. I think what happens is, they put them on a pedestal forgetting that they are a reflection of Christ but not Christ himself.

Whenever there’s an offence, discord or issues are revealed (and let’s face it, church hurt happens). The people that you least expect to hurt you, end up hurting you. But then that’s why we have to be reminded that they are not Jesus.

As soon as people become our standard instead of Christ, we begin to glorify them and forget that they are human; fallible. That’s not to say, that there is an excuse for what they did but what I am saying is that you can’t use other people’s actions as an excuse to stop seeking God or hinder you from having your own personal relationship with Jesus.

People are not the original image, Christ is. Let’s use this example that the Lord has used to help me. If you take a horrible photo of what would be considered a beautiful object. Does that mean the object isn’t beautiful? It still is, the photo was just a poor reflection.

And if you’re reading this and have been burned by those you placed an expectation in. I’m sorry that you went through what you experienced but please put all of your hope and expectation in Jesus because He will never fail you.

The difference between Christians and those that don’t know Christ (is obviously Jesus) but also the fact we have to deny their flesh daily and pick up the cross.

Sometimes, that doesn’t always happen but remember, that person, just like every other Christian, are on their journey to becoming Christ-like, slowly conforming to His image. They are called to be a reflection of Christ, but they are not Jesus Christ.

You might have recently given your life to Christ and it’s normal to look up to others. In fact, there’s nothing wrong with being encouraged by another Christian, it helps to stir up your faith. However, remember these two things:

1. Do not glorify them.

Even if they led you to Jesus Christ and as a result, you got saved. They are not to be glorified. They are not Jesus. They didn’t die for you, Christ did. The moment we fix our eyes on people and not Christ, we begin to make them an idol.

1 Corinthians 1:11-13
For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Paul had to rebuke the church of Corinth because they were dividing themselves on which disciple they should follow and who was greater. In the kingdom of God, there is no hierarchy. We are all servants of the Lord.

2. Conviction is personal.

The decisions we make in our Christian lives is because of the convictions from the Holy Spirit, from God’s word and even encounters that we’ve had with Jesus. Don’t feel pressured to copy what other Christians are doing.

You may not understand everything and that’s okay but always ask questions and even pray to God to give you understanding. This is your own personal relationship with Jesus.

There is nothing wrong to be encouraged by another Christian but never make them your standard. What ends up happening is, you either (a) get frustrated if you fall below it (keep in mind, we are all created uniquely) or (b) become filled with pride because you think you’ve “made it”.

Jesus is the only one that we look onto as we run this race – the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Look onto Jesus, He is the only one we should be focusing on.

God bless,
Susan ♡