The formula is a lie.

You;therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? (Romans 2:21)

The natural tendency in judging ourselves is to raise up some rag of a “good work” and excuse ourselves from the rest based on our good intentions. Any of these formulas might be familiar. “Maybe I'm not as close and transparent with my wife as I should be but, at least I occasionally wash the dishes.” “Maybe I didn't really seek for God's Word and power before teaching the Bible lesson but at least I do it when others won't. “ “Maybe I'm not as orderly as I should be, but at least my floor is visible.”

Our external failures may reveal a flaw of character, a wrong desire or weak faith. But, an external success does not necessarily reveal strength or goodness. We tend to make little, personal formulas in our thinking that define success in our life or relationships. But, often these formulas don't add up to truth. As we read God's Word and meditate on it, these formulas are revealed to be false. Then we choose whether we will throw out the formula or God's Word. God's Word is not presenting another set of rules and formulas for life. It is challenging us to realize that we can never live up to a true standard. God is calling us to change our way of thinking, to accept Jesus' as our redeemer from dead formulas and efforts, and to be transformed by His Spirit. Yet, we are tempted to keep living and teaching the same old formulas for self-improvement and for salvation.

Only new life from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit means anything. Once we repent of excusing our self, living by formula and doing our own thing then Jesus can truly begin to fill our being, transform our thinking, and make something of our lives. The formula is a lie.

May God give us grace to hear Him when we teach (or judge) others, realize where we need Him, repent of our self-sufficiency, and be transformed by His Spirit.

"It is better to be an honest man who tells a lie, than a liar who tells the truth." -- Bonhoffer