STANDARDS? for the Sincere Christian!

STANDARDS? Not a Bible word but surely a Bible Principle for the genuine Christian; the sincere Believer that is desiring to have a higher level of quality and closeness in their walk with the Lord Jesus.

Some today are attacking even the idea that their should be some “level” of quality wherein we strive to please the Lord. They reason since we are “accepted in the beloved” anyway, why try to be better? Jesus Christ is the only One that ever walked the planet they didn’t need improvement for He was already impeccably holy and perfect! He is God Almighty, the flawless sinless Son of God!

However, the Apostle Paul seemed to think he should keep reaching to grow in quality and to reach for a higher level of maturity, testimony, faith and love in Christ – ”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. Philp 3:12 The Lord Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” Matt 5:48. So, there must have been a desire or at least goals of attainment in the Christian walk that was understood by the 1st century Disciples that we can shoot for even today.  Hebrews 12:1-2; 6:1-3.

Like an athlete who wants to keep improving, we need to set some goals and guidelines-parameters of that which we won’t do and that which we will do to be a better disciple! Read 1 Cor 9:24-27. Disciple means “a disciplined learner”. Discipline or temperance is Holy Spirit fruit! Gal 5:22-23
(To be continued)