What is the Standard?

What is the Standard?

Christians are called out of this world. We are called to be different. We are
called to live by a higher standard.
Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your
reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and
pleasing and perfect will of God.
Similarly, Ephesians 5:1 says, “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved
children; and walk in love even as Christ also loved you and gave himself up for
us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell. But
fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among
you as becometh saints; no filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are
not fitting: but rather giving of thanks.”
Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all
men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world.”
This is no surprise to Christians. We are called to be God’s own special people (1
Peter 2:9). We are called to separate ourselves from the defiling influences and
practices of this world. We are his children so we must seek those things that are
above (Colossians 3) and shun the evil works of darkness (Ephesians 5).
In this increasingly wicked and godless world, our behavior stands out in greater
and greater contrast to those around us. This presents a surprising challenge. In
his book Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up, David Bercot makes an
insightful and thought-provoking observation about many of those professing
faith in Christ in our society:
Christians today frequently pride themselves on being different from the
world, but in reality they are usually only different from a particular
segment of the world.
Liberal Christians think they are different from the world because they
do not share the bigotry, provincialism, and narrow-mindedness that
[they believe] characterizes the conservative bloc of our society. But in
truth the attitudes and lifestyle of liberal Christians are little different
from that of liberal non-Christians.
The same principle is true of evangelicals. Because [they] cling to
conservative American values, [they] tell [themselves] that [they’re]
acting independently of our culture. But conservative attitudes can be
just as much a part of the world as liberal ones. Haven’t [evangelical]
attitudes on divorce, entertainment, and other issues changed in
response to changes in our culture?
Bercot’s observation is undeniably true. In the last 100 years attitudes and
teachings in the religious world have changed with regard to such things as
divorce, social drinking, dancing, modest dress, the proper roles of women in the
church, entertainment, and materialism.
How can this happen? The problem creeps in when we start comparing ourselves
to the wrong standards. Sometimes we feel comfortable if we aren’t as ungodly as

the worst attitudes we see in the world. We can become comfortable being “just
above” the world around us. We can reason, “Well, I’m not dressed like that,” or,
“I don’t talk like most of my co-workers.” We can become comfortable being
“relatively” righteous compared with the world around us.
We can also fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with other Christians. We
can become comfortable because we fit in with the norms of the congregation or
the norms of our friends. We can reason, “Well Bob thinks it is ok, and he is
strong in the faith.” Whether we are comparing ourselves with sinful neighbors
or with our imperfect brethren, we are looking at the wrong standard. Our
standards will drift with the currents of our society. Over time we will move far
from where we ought to be.
The right standard is the unchanging word of God. Instead of asking, “What do
my brethren think about this?” we should ask, “What do the scriptures have to
say about this?” Our attitudes and actions need to be deeply rooted in the
principles taught in scripture. Through honest and diligent study we need to
learn God’s standard for holy living. We need to come to a deeper understanding
of the character of Christ. We need to understand what God expects of those who
would serve Him.
Once we have a handle on God’s standard, we need to honestly apply it. Are our
lives consistent with our profession of faith? Is the entertainment we enjoy
consistent with faith in Christ? Do we dress in a manner consistent with those
professing godliness? Are our words expressive of a humble and respectful spirit,
demonstrating grace and consideration for others? Is it evident that we are
strangers and pilgrims on the earth? Are we joyous, thankful people, or do we
complain about everything?
Wisdom and judgment are necessary to apply God’s principles to specific
situations, but the standard does not change.
- Patrick Gaughan

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“Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal.”
- 19 th century poet, Thomas Moore

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“God is like the sun; you cannot look at it, but without it
you cannot look at anything else.” - G. K. Chesterton

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