Topic of the Month

Standards

Bro. Matthew A. Raines
Quartz Hill church of Christ

In the logic of mankind, there is a principle that tends to thread its way into most of our lives. That logic is, "to achieve anything, you must put forth some kind of effort." In other words, you cannot get something for nothing. This idea is rooted in this country's very foundation . We have evidence of it in our jobs, our games and our relationships. Unfortunately this idea has been tossed aside with respect to the majority of the Christian community. The ideals and standards that even the world holds as being good, moral and righteous are seemingly lost when we serve God. In this day an age, the world's standard for believing in something is held to a higher standard than the standard for believing in Christ

Take, for example, a man who works as a detective. If he never does any foot work he will never solve a crime, nor will he be regarded as some one worthy or competent in his profession. Crimes are not solved by the detective by his simply believing he knows what happened. He must do the work of a detective. Yet in today's Christian denominations, the only thing "Christians" are required is to simply believe. They never have to actually do the will of the Father. Matthew 7:21 says "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."  Christ understood the necessity of doing the Father's will. While in the garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed that the burden of the cross be lifted from him, yet, he concluded that the will of the father must be done. (Mark 14:36)  Clearly it is seen that the Lord expects a higher standard than that of just believing as so many denomination teach.

Another example of the world's standards versus the modern denomination's is seen in how the world regards its athletes. For example an athlete is expected to train, abstaining from activities and or substances that would hinder his performance. He is also expected to persevere and complete his "race". Once again the worlds standards are superior than the standards of the modern Christian denomination. The individual is expected to have a belief in God, but never required to study His word. An individual is expected to have a belief in God, but still allowed to live any lifestyle they want to. They are also expected to have a belief in God and only start the race. It does not matter how you choose to finish the race.

Yet the bible teaches that in order to be pleasing to God you must "study to show thy self approved of God" 2 Tim 2:15 It also teaches that we are expected to conducted ourselves in a manner worthy of Christ, not only starting the race, but finishing it. Paul using his life as example, wrote in the Philippian letter   "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 3:4)   He also compounds this thought in II Timothy 4:6,7, speaking of his life and his near departure he says "I am...ready." Continuing in verse 7, "I have fought the good fight ,I have finished my course I have kept the faith." Clearly Paul understood the high standard put before him. He finished the race.

Finally, an example of how the standard of world is superior to that of the modern denominations is in our relationships. This example is best shown in our relationship with our country. If you are a citizen of the United States of America, you are expected to obey the laws of the land and are expected to defend the ideals and standards of this country, willing to give your life for this country. This is the standard by which we show our love to be seen as a true American. Yet once again the standards of today's denominations pail in comparison to world's standards.

In today's denominations, you can just say you are a believer and can expect to be in his kingdom . You can say you are a believer in God, but can disobey Him . You can also be a believer in God and not defend his teachings. Once again the bible says contrary! The bible says you must obey God in order to be pleasing to God. (Heb 5:9) You must also be willing to defend him. The bible uses an example of a solider putting on armor to defend the teaching of Christ (Eph 6:11,13) The bible also teaches we must love the lord our God with all of our heart and soul and mind. (Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27)  It also says if we love him, we must keep his commandments. (John 14:15)  Clearly the bible shows the standard we need to live by.

Brethren I write this as a warning. If you find yourself in a church who's standards do not measure up with the bible's, then you are not in the Lord's church! The bible teaches that the church is made up of Christians (1 Cor 12:14,27). Christians are supposed to be the salt of the Earth, making the world suitable for Eternity by helping it to be pleasing to God's standards.

This articles intentions were to show the lack of standards in religious denominations today and to say that true, biblical Christianity needs to be the standard for the world. This is summed up perfectly by the Apostle Peter in (I Peter 2:9), it reads "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"  We should strive to reflect his light, not our own.

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