Most people use faulty measurements to determine the success of their lives. Usually this means comparing themselves to others in one way or another and then assuming that external markers prove they’ve “made it”. A few of the things people use to measure themselves include:
- Money and the things it buys — “if I have more, I am more”
- Career or Achievement — “if I go further, I am more”
- Physical Appearance — “if I have physical beauty or superior strength, I am more”
- Power — “if i have influence, I am more”
- Education — “If I know more, I am more”
- A beautiful wife/successful husband/perfect family — “if we look the best, I am more”
- A life without problems — “if everything is smooth, I am more”
But according to God, these are all faulty measuring tools. None of these things shows whether or not we are succeeding in God’s sight. Neither looking at others nor at the standards of our culture give us a true view of spiritual success. And if we use faulty guidelines, we can’t make accurate assessments of ourselves or our lives.
The prophet Amos recorded this vision: “I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line. He was checking it with a plumb line to see if it was straight. And the LORD said.. ‘I will test my people with this plumb line,” (Amos 7:7-8)
A plumb line is a length of string with a weight tied at one end. When you hold the string up with the weighted end hanging down, the law of gravity ensures that the string is totally vertical. It provides a true measurement and a straight line. When held next to a structure, the plumb line provides an infallible measure by which to determine whether or not the building is “in line” with the physical universe. A building that is in line with the plumb line is strong, secure and built to last, but a building with walls that are out of line is weak and will eventually collapse.
The same holds true with our lives. God’s word provides a spiritual plumb line by which we can determine whether or not we are in line with Him. But if we never read the Word or we don’t know the Word, we will use faulty measures and so deceive ourselves. We may look successful to ourselves and to the world around us, while actually being on the verge of spiritual ruin. Jesus said, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Just as we can’t argue with the plumb line when it comes to what is physically straight and true, so also God’s Word shows us what is spiritually upright from his perspective. We can’t change the spiritual laws revealed in the bible, therefore it’s crucial that we measure our lives according to the plumb line of God’s Word. When we discover that our lives don’t line up with it, we must honestly admit the problem, yield it to Christ and allow him to restore us. In essence, this will tear down what is out of alignment, and rebuild according to his measurements. By placing our faith in Jesus Christ, who alone is totally true and totally straight before God, we receive his uprightness in God’s sight. Christ alone makes us spiritually straight. Christ alone assures our spiritual success. If we say we are his and we are his followers, then the only measure of success is Christ himself in us.
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