Question:
What standard must we use in religion today?
Answer:
This question is a basic, but important one. To maintain religious accuracy, we must have a “standard” to help us rule our lives. Mathematicians would often come to different conclusions if there were not common formulas and principles in arithmetic. Similarly, carpenters would find it difficult to work with others if their “inch” was a different length than the standard “inch.” Boards would be either too long or too short and buildings would start to fall.
Spiritually, we would start to crumble without a common standard (Matt. 7:24-27). That standard is Christ. Paul says in Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” To Paul, having the “mind of Christ” was the standard for unity. The unity of the church depended upon its individual members striving to be like the cornerstone. Ephesians 4:13-15 says, “…till we all come to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ….speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…” Clearly, man’s best measuring stick for progress is Jesus Christ Himself.
As Paul writes to the Romans, he even offers this ultimatum. “Now if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9). If man wants Christ’s blessings, man must have the character of Jesus Christ. Peter weighs in on this issue as well. He says, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21).
Even Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The desire of Jesus for His disciples was, as He says, that they “learn from Me.” Now, how might we go about learning from Jesus?
Thankfully, learning about Jesus should not be extremely difficult. We have the Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Do you want to be a “man of God?” Then, begin by looking at the Scriptures.
As early as Genesis, you will see the plan of God unfold to save mankind through His Son (Genesis 3:15; 17:6,7). Through the Psalms and Prophets we can find prophecies concerning Jesus Christ that He fulfilled (Luke 24:44). In the gospels, we can read of the life of Christ. Throughout the entire New Testament, we find Christ’s “new covenant” being established as the law of Moses becomes “obsolete” (Hebrews 8-10; Gal. 5:1-4; Col. 2:11-23). Understanding the Bible in its proper place will help us see the plan of God, the person of Christ and the perseverance of the Spirit as He works in the church through the recorded words of Jesus and His apostles within the Scriptures (Jn. 6:63; 14:26; 16:13).
May Christ be your standard as you seek to live a blessed life!
February 2005