Wouldn’t that be weird – having different levels of Christianity that we could identify? We could place them on a badge and at church people could see that I had made it to level 6. I could puff out my chest around all those who were level 5 and below, but I’d probably feel a little inferior when I stood around someone who was wearing a level 7 badge or above.
While we may be able to reach different levels in games, in work, or in other areas of life, Christianity doesn’t have levels:
“[Different] levels in Christianity” is not a concept built on the gospel of Christ. Levels are only possible if there are levels of righteousness. And those levels simply do not exist, because we all possess the same amount of righteousness — none. The only righteousness any of us have is the righteousness God freely gives to us in Christ.
–Matt Chandler
It has been said another way both in sermons and in songs:
“The ground is level at the foot of the cross.”
And I am so glad that it is!
We don’t have to compare ourselves to one another to determine who is more righteous or more deserving… for all of us stand on the same level ground. We are guilty of sin. We are deserving of wrath. But instead of having to endure it, Jesus was lifted up on the cross drawing us to Himself, and He drank every last drop of the cup of wrath that I deserved. Therefore, He is the only one who is righteous, and I am so glad that He made a way for me to receive forgiveness and stand in His righteousness.