They Just Couldn’t Believe This was Happening. You Do It Too.

Anger gets expressed in subtle ways and “that’s not fair” is one of them. Children say it all the time; at least the ones I’ve been around do! Sadly, I have found myself acting like one too (ouch).

Adults tend to find more clever ways to express it, right?! “I do more than they do…” “Why is God better to them than me?” “They don’t deserve favor unless they do it like I do or think...”

Have you ever been around believers who measure others by comparison instead of compassion? They complain about what others “aren’t…” or “haven’t…” instead of who they are in Christ.

It’s often subtle, but inside we can be like that too. We compare our spiritual attainment or level of service to others and quietly complain to Jesus that they’re not the “right kind” or doing enough.

If we feel like others aren’t good enough or doing enough, it’s not because of our own godliness. The grace of God gives what is needed not deserved and points to what the gospel is and does.

In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a parable about workers in a field hired at different times of the day. Some worked all day, others part of the day, and some just an hour. Yet all are paid the same.

Well, those who worked longest got angry and said, “that’s not fair”! But Jesus shows His interest is not in what is equitable, but in what is essential. They weren’t measured by their “works”.

Every man had to feed his family and needed a penny to do so. Their merit wasn’t the issue, mercy was. As Christians, we don’t call others to behave, we invite them to believe by being a blessing.

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to be as “godly” as someone else to get the grace from God you need? You too can give the grace others need but don’t “deserve” when they “don’t measure up”.

How might you be comparing your spiritual attainment, effort, or good works to others? You deserve no more or less from God because of them. Commit to being godly by giving more grace.

Start today. How can you give what is needed not deserved to your spouse, child, neighbor, pastor, co-worker, or friend? Maybe it’s a gesture, some generosity, or an adjustment in your attitude. 

Simple acts of kindness and generosity go a long way toward diffusing our “anger” and putting the gospel on display. Let’s start with some compassion instead of comparison and criticism.

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