Power in Godly Standards
Exodus 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi
Jehovah-nissi means the Lord our banner or more distinctively “our victory”
God has always ordained standards. The entire universe operates on a define system of standards set up by our divine Creator. All successful professions and businesses are managed by standards. Every employee is required to meet certain standards. Why think it strange that God has standards for His people to live by?
Standard means emblem, flag, banner, criterion; that which is set up and established by authority as a rule, model, example, to which others must conform.
Introduction: The Ways of God
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Heb. 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Jer. 31:33, Eze. 11:19
Heart changes bring lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes bring cultural changes. When these cultural changes persist over a period of time, they begin to define life for men and women.
Holiness defined:
Holiness is one of God’s basic characteristics. In reference to Him, the word denotes absolute perfection and purity. Only God is holy in Himself. When the word is applied to persons or objects it refers to that which has been separated or set apart unto God. For the Old Testament Hebrews, holiness included both the negative concept of“separation” and the positive concept of “dedication.” For born again Christians it specifically means separation from sin and the world and dedication to God.
Holiness is imparted by the Holy Ghost.
Man can only become holy through divine assistance. Sanctification (separation) begins with the hearing of the gospel and continues through faith, repentance,and water baptism in Jesus’ name; but it is accomplished primarily by the infilling and indwelling of the Holy Ghost (I Peter 1:2).
- Holiness is taught directly by the Holy Ghostin us. Jn 14:26
- Holiness is taught by Holy Ghost filled pastors andteachers. Eph. 4:11-12
- 1 John 2:27- John describes the basic holiness that abides in all who have receivedthe Spirit. It does not comment on the necessity to be taught by a God-called, Spirit-filled teacher.
Holiness is an individual problem
Eachmust carry out or accomplish his own salvation withfear and respect; but does not mean that each person is to makehis own rules for being saved. Phil. 2:12
After receiving the New Birth a saint must maintainwhat God has given them. Hebrews 3:14; 2 Thess. 2:2, 15; 2 Peter 3:16
1 John 5:4For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Acts 2:40
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
God’s main focus is not what people say but how they live!
Luke 6:46
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Matt. 6:19-24
Nothing is allowed to come between Christ and ourselves. Not the world, nor self-righteousness, nor the ceremonial law. The disciple always looks only to his master. His eye rests totally on the light that comes from Christ.
Col. 5:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Eph. 5:5, 1 Tim. 6:17
A heart set on accumulated wealth, makes wealth a barrier between himself and God.Hoarding is idolatry.
Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation and our God.
Anything that hinders us from loving God above all things and acts as a barrier between ourselves and obedience to Jesus is our treasure. This makes the difference between legitimate use of goods and unlawful accumulation.
Human heart instinctive needs: treasure, glory and praise.
Jesus gives higher objects-glory of God Joh 5:44; Joh 12:43; Ro 2:29
Glorying in the cross Gal. 6:14. Heaven for treasure.
Ten Purposes ofGodly Standards
1. Standards represent quality.
1 Peter 2:1-12
We are born into the royal family of God through the “New Birth”; we represent the highest standard of life upon this earth. No amount of peer pressure should affect a child of the King, for royalty sets the standards that the world should follow.
Col 3:1-2; Rom 12:1-2
As representatives of quality we should reject everything that does not please God; and we should accept everything that does conform to His standards.
2. Standards reflect the Glory of God.
Eph 5:25-27; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Matt. 5:16
As saints we belong to a Holy God. We no longer should live for ourselves but unto Him that died for us.
3. Standards represent Holiness principles.
Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8
In the bible all of God’s moral laws represent holiness principles, which reveal His divine nature. These laws are still in effect today, because God has not changed.
Jer 50:2
Anything, whether named in the Bible or not, that violates a holiness principle is wrong. It is important to set up and maintain standards, according to God’s moral laws, to represent and preserve His holiness principles.
4. Standards display the Beauty of Holiness.
Gal 5:22-23
Although standards will not produce holiness, true holiness will inevitably produce standards. Standards when motivated by the “fruit of the Spirit” will always display the beauty of holiness.
1 Peter 3:3-4
Our attitudes, conduct, and personal appearance should not exploit our physical features, but should always display the spirit and character of the inner man.
Ps 29:2
To GOD beauty lies in standards which display inner holiness.
5. Standards maintain uniformity.
Proverbs 11:30; Matt. 7:20
Law enforcement officers, judges, military servicemen, postmen, firemen, doctors, nurses, and many company employees are required to wear uniforms or certain types of clothing. The purpose of uniformity is to properly represent a profession or business, and to maintain the desired performance or production. One speaks for all. Likewise, God has set uniform standards for His people to follow, which enable us to be effective witnesses.
Ps. 133:1; John 17:17-21; Acts 2:42-47
We all should wear the same uniform of holiness, by manifesting Christian attitudes and actions, as well as maintaining a godly standard of dress.
John 14:26; Eph 4:11-13- Uniformity of standards can only be maintained by following instructions.
2 Peter 2:10 - By accepting organization
2 Tim 3:16; 4:2; Rev. 3:19- By being disciplined
Col 3:18-22; Titus 3:1; Heb 13:17 – By submitting to authority
6. Standards serve as our Mark of Distinction.
Rom 8:29; 12:2
Standards distinguish the church from the sinful world and identify it with Christ.
1 John 1:7- To be Christ like we must walk in the light as He is in the light.
Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 6:14-17; 1 Thess. 5:22; 1 John 2:15-16
The Holy Spirit will never lead us to look or act like this ungodly world. God’s ministers often find it needful to set certain standards simply to avoid association with elements that are not Christian, and maintain our mark of distinction. For example, Paul warned against eating meats offered to idols (1 Cor 8). In some countries a candle lighted service would be wrong because of evil reference. Likewise certain dress codes, hairstyles, behavior, etc. have become symbols of ungodly and sinful lifestyles. To identify with Christ we must avoid the things that associate with this sinful world. Our mark of distinction requires separation from all appearance of evil.
Duet 22:5; 1 Cor 6:9; 1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:3-4.
God’s standards also require a distinction between men and women in their attitudes, conduct, and dress codes.
7. Standards mark our course of direction.
Matt. 7:13-14
The word “strait” means narrow, restricted, tight, close, rigorous, definite, and exact.
8. Standards determine our Boundaryof Security.
Jer. 3:15; 23:4; Acts 20: 28; Heb 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:2
Serving as God’s under shepherd, the pastor must give an account for the security of souls placed in his charge.
Eph 4:11-12, 2 Tim 3:16; 4:2- As a shepherd sets up boundaries, guard rails, and fences for the safety and care of his flock, so the pastor must set up standards in agreement with God’s word, to serve as our boundary of security.
Heb 13:7,17- We must obey the biblical standards set up by leadership of the church, not only to assure our safety and care, but to enable the minister to fulfill his responsibility with joy.
Proverbs 22:28-Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Deuteronomy 19:14,27:17, Job 24:2, Proverbs 22:28, 23:10
Hosea 5:10- For the wrath of God will be poured out upon those who remove the boundary.
9. Standards serve as our Armor of Defense
Is 59:19; Eph 6:13-17
Standards serve as a vital part of our armor of defense, which helps keep the world out of the church. If we lower our standards our defense against the enemy will be weakened, and soon we will lose our identity with Christ and be no different from the world. Where there are no standards there is no protection for the vital areas of our Christian Life.
1 Pet 3:14
Standards, which represent our military insignia or flag, are set up as a declaration of war against the enemy. They should clearly represent to the world that we are on the Lord’s side. We should not be warmongers; neither should we be afraid of the enemy.
1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7-8
As ambassadors of truth we must stand up for God and be ready to fight the good fight of faith. We cannot afford to compromise with the enemy by lowering our standards.
10. Standards represent our banner of victory
1 Thess. 5:22; Rom 12:2; Heb 12:1; Gal. 5:22-23; Eph. 4:11-12; John 16:13
To keep our banner of victory waving high, we must abstain from all evil, must not conform to this world, must lay aside every weight and sin, must bear the fruit of the Spirit, must accept the scriptural teachings of God’s ministers, and must allow the Holy Spirit to convict us and to lift up a standard in our lives according to God’s Word
Who Sets Standards?
God sets standards by the authority of His Word
John 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16
Everyone will be judged by the Word of God according to his Works.
John12:48; Rev20:12-15
God required a complex system of legal and ceremonial laws, as well as His moral laws. In this dispensation of grace-many of the legal and ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Christ. All of the moral laws which express His divine nature never change. These laws are still in effect and must be obeyed. Mal. 3:6; Matt. 5:17-18.
God has ordained ministers to teach His Word, set up and to maintain Biblical standards in the church.
Jer 50:2; Eph 4:11-12; Heb 13:7, 17
When the Bible is silent on a subject, the Holy Spirit will lift up a standard in our lives.
Is 59:19
The Spirit will work through the ministry in agreement with the Word of God.
John 16:13; Heb 13:7
For Example... The New Testament Church leaders, directed by the Holy Spirit, met in Jerusalem to settle the controversy of circumcision. Their letter of decision was delivered to all the churches to be obeyed. (Acts 15:5-6, 28-31; 16:4-5).
Tradition, culture, and individual convictions will dictate certain standards (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6). These standards must not conflict with the Scripture, for God’s Word is the final authority. Rev 20:12-15