Why Comparing Yourself to Others Won’t Save You 

Jesus told a story in Luke 18 about two men who went into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee—a religious leader—and the other was a tax collector, a man despised by society. The Pharisee looked at that tax collector and said, “God, I thank You that I’m not like other men.” He went on to list all the good things he’d done. But the tax collector wouldn’t even lift his eyes to heaven. He beat his chest and said, “God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). 

And Jesus said that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God. 

Why? Because salvation isn’t about comparing yourself to someone else. It’s not about measuring up. The Word says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” That means all of us. Every single one. 

You see, one of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that God grades on a curve—that as long as you’re “better than most,” you’re okay. But God’s standard isn’t your neighbor, your spouse, or even your pastor. God’s standard is perfection—pure holiness—and none of us meet that on our own. 

Romans 3:10 says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” On our own, we’re totally lost. 

Until you understand that, you can’t really be saved. 

Now, I know that can sound harsh, but it’s actually the best news in the world—because when you realize you can’t save yourself, you finally stop trying to. You finally turn to the only One who can. 

The Ground Is Level at the Foot of the Cross

I’ve noticed two kinds of people who miss salvation. One says, “I’ve done too much wrong; God could never forgive me.” The other says, “I’m good enough already.” But both are wrong. Whether you’ve broken every commandment or just one, it’s the same in God’s eyes. James 2:10 says that if you keep the whole Law but offend in one point, you’re guilty of all. 

That’s a sobering thought, but it also means this: the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Nobody stands higher or lower there. 

That’s good news because no matter what you’ve done—no matter how far you’ve fallen or how many times you’ve failed—Jesus already paid the price. The only thing you bring to the table is your sin and your need for a Savior. 

Jesus didn’t come to be an accessory to your life. He came to be your life. You could say it this way: Jesus plus anything equals nothing. But Jesus plus nothing equals everything. 

When you put all your faith in Him—not in yourself, not in your good works, not in your church attendance—that’s when true salvation happens. That’s the simple Gospel. 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

– Romans 10:9 

 

Freely Justified by God’s Grace

Maybe as you’re reading this, you’re realizing you’ve been trusting in your own goodness more than in what Jesus did for you. Or maybe you’ve felt like you were too far gone for God to want you. I tell you, both of those are lies from the enemy. 

God’s Word says in Romans 3:24 that we are “justified freely by his grace.” Freely. That means you can’t earn it. You just receive it. God’s grace isn’t a reward for good behavior—it’s a gift for those humble enough to admit they need it. 

And when you do that—when you stop comparing, stop striving, stop trying to fix yourself—that’s when His Spirit moves in and makes you new from the inside out. 

You know, I’ve seen people from every background—drug addicts, business leaders, teenagers, retirees—all come to that same moment of surrender, and it changes everything. Tears turn to peace, fear turns to joy, and shame disappears. It’s not about religion. It’s about relationship. 

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), but all can be justified freely by His grace. That includes you. 

Salvation Is Just the Beginning — Now Comes the Power 

Once you’ve truly been born again—not just acknowledging God exists, but entering into a real relationship with Him—there’s another step that the Bible calls every believer to take: receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is a separate experience from salvation, though it doesn’t have to happen long after (Acts 1:4–5). 

Jesus made this clear to His disciples just before He ascended: “Wait for the promise of the Father. . . . For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:4–5). 

Even after seeing His miracles, walking with Him, and believing in His resurrection, they were told not to go out and minister until they had received this power. Why? Because God did not want them operating in their own strength, wisdom, or ability. 

That’s why their impact was so powerful: they waited to receive power from on high (Acts 4:31), which was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

Today, many who represent the Lord haven’t received that baptism. They get up and speak words. Some of those words may be true, but if they’re not anointed by the Holy Spirit, they won’t carry the same power or impact as words inspired and empowered by Him. 

The first-century church didn’t just speak words—they demonstrated them. Acts 4:29–30 says, “Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word; . . . that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.” 

When you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God comes alive in a new way (John 14:26 and 16:13). This is how the early church went from being fearful disciples to bold witnesses who healed the sick, cast out demons, and proclaimed the Gospel with miraculous power (Acts 4:29–31). It is the difference between superficial faith and supernatural living. 

Why Being Born Again Is Just the Beginning 

In my own life, I was born again at age eight, but it wasn’t until I was eighteen, when I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that my faith became active and visible. 

When that happened, everything changed. It was like an explosion inside me. The Word of God came alive, and the Spirit began teaching and guiding me into all truth (John 14:26 and 16:13). He brings Scripture to remembrance, quickens it, and empowers our lives. 

I was once extremely shy, barely able to say “good morning” in high school. Now, by God’s power, I speak boldly, share His Word, and see lives transformed. 

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not optional for a powerful Christian life. 

If you’ve been born again and know with certainty that you would go to be with the Lord if you were to die today, yet haven’t received this baptism, know that there is a greater dimension of God’s power available to you. 

This baptism is available to anyone willing to receive it (Acts 2:39). Salvation opens the door, but the Spirit empowers the life. 

I strongly encourage you to get my teaching, The New You & The Holy Spirit. It’s available in multiple formats and will guide you step by step into receiving salvation (if you haven’t already) and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It will also help you understand the gifts of the Spirit and how to live a truly supernatural life. 

Heaven is a long way off for many of us. What are we going to do—just muddle through and struggle through this life? Most Christians know that there’s something more, and I’m telling you that this “more” is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.