1 Corinthians 4:2-4 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

I was caught, yet again, in being critical of my own performance. This time it was my pastor’s wife who simply said “Stop it.” I knew what I had done. I even know why I did it. I’ve confessed it before a brother and sought pray, forgiveness and help in putting an end to it.

It was not until this morning that I gained some deeper insight into exactly what I was doing. It is at the heart of my self-deprecation that I have not accepted the sufficiency of Christ. The Lord is my judge and for me to judge myself is a way of saying His judgment is insufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9a For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:

I am what I am by the grace of God. I am NOT what I want to be by that same grace. The Lord needs me to be what He needs me to be and not what I want to be. If His grace is indeed what I say it is, prevenient grace, then it follows that His judgment is as sufficient as His grace because the two are tied together by He who died in my place.

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

That includes me, judging me, for I am His servant.