THE measure of a man (or woman) is not in outward piety, devotion, knowledge of doctrine, or how religious he or she seems to be. The Pharisees of old were very impressive to most and appeared to be deeply religious, doctrinally sound (impressive speech), and outwardly moral (holy). But Christ said they were like “whited sepulchers” (graves), which look good outwardly, but were dead within (no true, spiritual life).

When God compares (measures) Himself to man, He says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). And what makes the Lord so infinitely different and higher than man is His MERCY AND PARDONING GRACE (v.7); showing that mercy and pardon to the guiltiest and the unpardonable. David, after hearing of such mercy to him and his house, said, “Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?” No, man is not like that. Man is unmerciful and without forgiveness and compassion, even to those just like him. The only men and women who show any semblance of that mercy and graciousness of the Lord are those who are being conformed to the image of the God-man, Christ Jesus. For as they have received mercy and grace, they show it to others. This is to be a perfect (true, complete) man . . .the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

Therefore, the true measure of a man is his merciful and gracious dealings with others. The most Christ-like person is the one who shows the most love, mercy, grace, compassion, and forgiveness to others. Show me a man who shows no mercy to others, no compassion, nor forgiveness; and I will show you a man who knows not God and will receive no mercy, compassion, nor forgiveness from God. Show me a man who shows no care or concern for others; and I will show you a man whom the Lord does not care for. Show me a woman who thinks she is better than another, and therefore judgmental and critical; and I will show you a woman who knows not God, has been and shall be judged by God according to the measure of the perfect Man, Christ Jesus, and found guilty of all charges.

The true (scriptural) measure of a man is how much mercy, love, and grace he measures out to others.