Know Yourself Series

Two brothers had terrorized a small town for decades. They were unfaithful to their wives, abusive to their children, and dishonest in business. The younger brother died unexpectedly. The surviving brother went to the pastor of the local church. “I’d like you to conduct my brother’s funeral,” he said, “but it’s important to me that, during the service, you tell everyone my brother was a saint.”

“But he was far from that,” the pastor countered.

The wealthy brother pulled out his checkbook. “Reverend, I’m prepared to give $100,000 to your church. All I’m asking is that you publicly state that my brother was a saint.”

On the day of the funeral, the pastor began his eulogy, saying, “Everyone here knows that the deceased was a wicked man, a womanizer, and a drunk. He terrorized his employees and cheated on his taxes.” Then he paused. “But as evil and sinful as this man was, compared to his older brother, he was a saint! (Greg Asimakoupoulos, Naperville, IL, Leadership, Vol. 16, no.4).

I don’t care who you are, when you compare yourself to some people, you can come off looking like a saint.

That’s especially true if you’ve been in the church for some time. After all, you’re not like your pagan neighbors, who sleep in on Sundays, throw wild parties, and curse like drunken sailors. You’re better than a lot of people, or so you think, and that makes you feel good about yourself, but does that actually help you?

The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, said, “Know thyself.” For such knowledge is the foundation for wisdom and essential for living a meaningful life. So, how do you get to know yourself? Well, if you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Romans 2, Romans 2, where the Bible tells us how.

Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things (ESV).

The word “judge” means to distinguish or to separate, and that’s what people often do. They separate or distinguish the good people from the bad, and they usually put themselves in the “good” group even if they do some of the same things the so-called “bad” people do. Well, that just doesn’t fly with God.

Romans 2:2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things (ESV).

Literally, the judgement of God is according to truth. So, if you want to know yourself, you must…

RIGHTLY JUDGE YOURSELF.

That is, judge yourself according to the truth. Stop separating yourself from the “bad” people in your mind, and realize that you’re just as bad as those you judge.

It’s funny. Even criminals look down on other criminals.

According to the First Things blog, several years ago, a 64-year-old man in the city of Jaén, Spain, reported a home burglary. The victim, who happened to coach a youth soccer team, listed several electronic appliances as stolen.

Days later, police received an anonymous call from a payphone. It was the burglar, informing them that he had left three video recordings in a brown envelope under a parked car. Apparently, the stolen recordings were evidence that the soccer coach was also a criminal. The thief included a note stating that he wanted the police to do their job and “put that (blankety blank) in prison for life.” Nine days after the burglary, the police arrested the soccer coach.

Betsy Howard, the author of the blog, says, “There is a well-worn adage that evangelism is one beggar telling another where to find bread. (But) so often, I live out my Christian faith more like a criminal telling the cops where to find the crooks. This should not be (Betsy Howard, “One Crook Telling the Cops Where to Find the Other Crook,” First Things, 12-21-13; www.Preaching Today.com).

One sinner should not distinguish himself or herself from another sinner. No! You must judge yourself rightly, i.e., according to the truth. So, what does that look like? How do you judge yourself rightly?

Well, that begins when you examine your own deeds. Take a hard look at what you do, not just at what you say.

Romans 2:3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? (ESV)

Of course not!

Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (ESV)

God would rather you change your ways than judge you! So don’t presume on His kindness. Don’t take advantage of His patience or slowness to punish. Instead, change your ways before it is eternally too late.