A Standard Issue

The Problem with Relativity

How fast is fast? How heavy is heavy? How far is far? How big is big? how thin is thin? How load is loud? Its interesting because all these thing are relative to each of us.

And in some situation its fine, but it gets very dangerous in the area of morality.

For example: How good is good? and How bad is bad? How holy is holy? Do we each get to decide what “good” is or what “bad” is in the same way we get to decide how “far” far is?

Well one thing is clear: God does not treat morality or Holiness as a relative issue. The Bible makes it clear that od has an actual definite standard of what is Good and what is Bad.

In other words God measures good and mad on a ruler.

Revelation 11:1 KJV 1900

1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

Amos 7:7 KJV 1900

7 Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.

This is the issue Jesus addresed when approached by the rich young ruler.

Mark 10:17–18 KJV 1900

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

What is your standard of good? The man though of Jesus as a man, and therefore though that a man could be good. But there is one very big problem: Jesus concept of “good” and the man’s concept of “good” are very different.

Jesus is making it clear: Only God is good - and any other application of the term means that you have to lower the standard of “good” to make it fit.

If God is good, can i say that I am good? Can i use the same adjective to describe a wretch like me and a holy all-powerful God? NO.

Good is not something subjective - It is a standard.

God Has Set the Standard

In our natural falled state, none of us could measure up to God’s standard.

Romans 3:23 KJV 1900

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

So God filled with love and grace made a way for us.

Romans 8:3 KJV 1900

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Amen.

But now we are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit. And as born gain belivers, God has once again called His people to live their lives, NOT as best as we see fit, but according to His standard and expectation.

God has an Expectation

God has an expectation of you, each and every day God supplies you with all trhe strength, grace, wisdom and power to live up to His expectation.

Do you know what God’s expectation of you is? Many christian fail, because they give up and dont even try, or are not even bothered.

The Devil works in our minds to convinse us that God’s standard and expectation 1( Does not exist, or 2) It impossible.

Here is what God expects from you: This is how God expects you to be:

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

God expects you to be perfect. And as soon as you hear that the Devil whispers: Thats not possible, because Nobodies perfect.

Jesus is perfect.

1 Peter 1:19 KJV 1900

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

God expects you to be perfect.

Striving After Perfection

Many christians live their christianity the same way the goverment does its job - “that will do”.

Instead of aiming for perfection and striving after it, many just settle to a lower standard becsuse the cost of perfection of to hight. The sins needing to be forsaken are to enjoyible.

Others will say: It’s not possible - but have they even tried? No. And what about falling short? Of course we fall short, but look at Pauls answer.

Philippians 3:12 KJV 1900

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12 NLT

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Its all about what you AIM at. What Paul aiming for?

He is aiming for perfection. What is he fails? Well if he aims at 100 and misses he will still be closer to to 100 than the person who aims at 50.

Pass mark at schools....

And he presses on each day.

Aim for perfection. Perfect speech. Perfect Grace. Perfect attendance. Perfect obedience. Perfect tithes. Perfect Devotion. Perfect Bible reading. Prefect Prayer.

Aim for the PERFECT!

Hebrews 12:14 KJV 1900

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Problem is the moral standard of the church has lowered.

Church at the mall....