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Christian Standards – Part 1

August 14, 2009 at 1:11 pm (Holiness & Separation)

Christian Standards, part 1 – Victorious Christian Living

1 Peter 1:16 (New King James Version)
“Be holy, for I am holy.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (The Living Bible)

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

True worshippers do not find the life of holiness burdensome or restrictive. The desire for the pleasures of sin is gone and in its stead is the longing to please Jesus Christ and be like Him. Born-again Christians consider it a joy to live a holy life.

Holiness is from the Lord! The disobedient sin of Adam brought separation between God and man. In order to become holy, you must go to the source of holiness.

1 Peter 1:14-16 (Complete Jewish Bible)
¹⁴ As people who obey God, do not let yourselves be shaped by the evil desires you used to have when you were still ignorant. ¹⁵ On the contrary, following the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in your entire way of life; ¹⁶ since the Tanakh says, “You are to be holy because I am holy.”

Holiness is from the heart! It is not an abstract, mystical devoutness that has no real application to daily lifestyle. Instead, holiness is nothing more and nothing less than living daily with a mindset to please God. Remember, if it pleases God it matters not who it displeases. Likewise, if it displeases God it matters not who it pleases.

Matthew 12:34b (English Standard Version)
…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Holiness is glory to God! Like the moon reflects the light of the sun, so we are to be reflectors of the glory of God. Our lives should daily exalt Jesus Christ, the One who dwells within our regenerated and redeemed hearts! Our outward expression of inward holiness is a reflection of the Lord’s glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (English Standard Version)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Holiness is a necessity, NOT an option! Just as you forsake sin to become saved, so must you continue to forsake sin in order to stay saved! Those who do not have on the “wedding garment” will not be permitted to enter the kingdom of heaven!

Matthew 22:11-13 (English Standard Version)
¹¹ “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. ¹² And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. ¹³ Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Hebrews 12:14 (English Standard Version)
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Holiness is a part of our worship! Some errantly think that our worship consists of the time we spend singing on Sunday; however, worship is truly a lifestyle, and a lifestyle of holy living every day is true worship unto the Lord. Toby Mac observed, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who profess Jesus with their lips but deny Him by their lifestyle: this is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

1 Chronicles 16:29 (King James Version)

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 29:2 (King James Version)

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 96:9 (King James Version)

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

1) Setting of standards:

The more the purpose and use of standards are understood, the better qualified a person will be to keep them. This is illustrated in Psalm 20…

Psalms 20:5 (New King James Version)
We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

A)    Why have standards?

• Darkness is not the opposite of light, but rather the absence of it.

Matthew 5:14-16 (English Standard Version)
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

• The object of the church is to draw attention to the One we represent (reflectors) rather than to ourselves. In everything we do, we strive to be identified with Jesus Christ. Standards, then, when properly applied to our daily lives, help bring that identity about!

B)    What do standards represent?

• In battle, the flag identifies the soldiers of each side. The church is engaged in spiritual warfare and thus must also have flags (standards) which clearly identify it. The enemy must know who we are!

Acts 19:15 (English Standard Version)
But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

• Our standards signify to the world what are convictions are and where we stand. What we wear and how we wear it, where we go or don’t go, what we say or don’t say, how we live and how we don’t, etc. all serve to identify us as Christians. Standards serve to distinguish the church from the world, both in the manner of dress and in daily conduct. This distinction is pleasing to God.

• Standards represent a united effort! Every policeman wears a uniform that identifies him as such. By the same token, the Christians “modest apparel” of men not wearing women’s clothing and women not wearing that which pertains to a man, serve as a “uniform” by which we are identified.

• The very word Christian means “Christ like.” Therefore, it’s not just our clothing, but also our conduct and conversation that also identifies us the true Church.

2) Where do standards come from?

A)    The Word of God sets standards:

• The Word of God is the mind of God and it completely expresses to humanity the whole will of God! The Word also reveals the history of mankind and God’s dealings with men. Principles established in the Word define many of the Christian standards. The absoluteness of God’s Word is unchangeable!

• If God said it…that settles it…whether you believe it or not!

B)    The Spirit of God sets standards:

• There are times when we don’t understand what the Bible teaches about certain modern philosophies, because they are not specifically spelled out. Thus, the Spirit of God will quicken your mind through the preaching, teaching, and your personal study of the Word of God to reveal these things unto you. This is commonly called “conviction.”

• Many years, for example, people didn’t know that tobacco caused cancer. However, many felt convicted by the Spirit that it was wrong to use tobacco in any form. The Bible does not clearly state any prohibition of the use of tobacco, but verses such as 2 Corinthians 7:1 were quickened to their minds. These Spirit-led preachers and saints considered this habit as filthy to the flesh. Much later, it was proven that tobacco is harmful to the body.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (English Standard Version)
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

• God dealt with Christian people in a similar fashion concerning television. It looked like a promising tool of communication when it first emerged, and much of the programming at that time couldn’t be proven as harmful. But prayer was made about this and the Spirit and today even non-Christian people realize the negative influence TV has been on society.

Psalms 101:3 (English Standard Version)
I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Psalms 101:3 (God’s Word)
I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes. I hate what unfaithful people do. I want no part of it.

• Where did the standard of our apparel originate from? It started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and the woman were trying to hide their nakedness with the fig leaves they had sown together. All that they had created were “loin-cloths.” This was their choice for covering, but God overturned and overruled their selection and established “modest apparel” for them.

Genesis 3:21 (King James Version)
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

• • These “coats” are defined in the Hebrew as “a garment extending from the shoulder to below the knee.” In other words, God said everything I’ve covered is for modesty’s sake and to uncover it is to be immodest.

• • This also connects to principles of dress in the Law and modest apparel in the New Testament. Later in the study, we will review this in greater detail.

• It is important to note that whether or not you feel personally convicted about something, if it is clearly stated in the Word of God, it is final and absolute. Obeying God is also part of our worship and there is no such thing as disobedient worship – that is an oxymoron!

1 Samuel 15:22 (King James Version)
…Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…

C)   Tradition sets standards:

• Many people who’ve departed from formal denominations fear tradition. But, there are many traditions that are good to keep.  Paul spoke about keeping traditions…

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (English Standard Version)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 (English Standard Version)
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

• Sometimes certain standards may be set in the church that aren’t specifically dealt with in the Scriptures. You must not be too quick to discredit traditional standards. Change for the sake of change is not healthy. In other words, don’t tear down a fence until you know why it’s standing.

• If a traditional standard is no longer valid, God will reveal this to the leadership of His church – the five-fold ministry.

D)   Culture sets standards:

• Sometimes Christians find it needful to set standards simply to avoid association with certain elements that are not Christian. When this occurs in any culture, the only way to avoid being identified with that group is to avoid the elements that mark them. In avoiding this identification, certain cultural standards become apparent.

• An example here in Caribou is the “Bowl-a-Rama.” It is advertised as a family site complete with birthday party rooms, etc. Bowling is not a sin. Being with your family and friends is fellowship. However, the Bowl-a-Rama becomes a bar at 6pm. One must count the cost and “abstain from the very appearance of evil.” For a complete family bowling experience, there are other bowling alley’s that do not serve beer or tobacco, and are not a bar at night. These would be much more conducive to a holy lifestyle.

E)    Individuals sets standards:

• These are also called “personal convictions.” However, it is imperative to not confuse these with absolutes! Even if you don’t have a “personal conviction” about an absolute principle, you still are required by God to obey it.

• Individual standards (or personal convictions) are to be practiced by the individual for the purpose of drawing closer to God, and for the purpose of maintaining one’s walk in the Spirit.
• For example, someone that has been delivered from pornography may choose not to use the internet at all as a safeguard against future failure. While many others use the internet for wholesome purposes, this delivered person may need to set a personal conviction to keep themselves pure.

• It is un-kind and un-Christian to ridicule another person’s conviction.  It’s equally un-kind and un-Christian to impose your personal convictions on anyone else.

3) When are standards important?

A)    When they point people to Christ! They’re harmful if they expose a “holier-than-thou” attitude, which God hates.

B)    When they show the world what God is doing! Noah built an ark (the standard) and preached righteousness. His words and deeds clearly revealed God’s purpose.

C)   When they are give direction and guidance! Standards are not an end in themselves: when that becomes the case, legalism is the result. Standards are the lamps that draw attention to right things to help us live a pleasing life unto the Lord.

D)   When a proper attitude is maintained! A fence keeps things in, but also keeps things out. They serve to help you, protect you, and keep you safe.

4) Be not conformed…but be transformed!

Romans 12:1-2 (King James Version)
¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

A)    (“Be not conformed”) The Greek word rendered “conformed” properly means “to put on the form, fashion, or appearance of another. It may refer to anything pertaining to the habit, manner, dress, style of living, etc., of others!

• Before experiencing the new birth, we all drift downstream and away from God. When we repent, we make an “about-face” and begin to swim upstream finding ourselves, sometimes, in the midst of a tremendous struggle.

• The secret to success in Christianity is dying out to your flesh and that takes discipline. The world has no attraction to those who are dead to sin. Paul gives us additional insight into victorious Christian living…

Galatians 2:20 (New King James Version)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Galatians 6:14 (English Standard Version)
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

• The closer a person lives to the world, the more they are attracted by the world. Lot “pitched his tents towards Sodom” and it wasn’t long before he ended up in Sodom. The pull and allure of the world is strong – you must resist it by staying as far away as possible!

• Everyone has to fight peer pressure. To be considered odd is not something anyone desires. This fear of standing out has caused some to reject holiness and separation and lose out with God. This is why it is imperative that you fall in love with Jesus Christ and His Church. Or in other words, fall in love with the Commander and you’ll have no problem keeping the commandments.

John 14:15 (English Standard Version)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

• Finally, remember those who stand out for Christ will always have Christ with them, even if the crowd rails against them – just ask the three Hebrew boys. They stood up and stood out, but God walked with them through the fire!

B)    (“Be ye transformed”) The Greek word from which the expression here is derived means “form, habit; change…transfigure…transform! … The direction is, “put on another form; change the form of the world for that of Christianity.”

• The true Christian dresses modestly and looks like a Christian should. True Christians don’t laugh at off-color jokes or stories. True Christians are faithful on the job and honest in their transactions. True Christians refrain from worldly parties and fellowship with the ungodly. Transformation has taken place and the desires for the things of the world no longer are desirable!

• Transformation means I don’t talk like I used to, act like I used to, live like I used to, dress like I used to, or do anything like I used to – I am now controlled by the leading of the Holy Spirit and desire to please Him in all things!

• A transformed Christian never thinks, “How little can I do and still make it?” Or, “What’s the least I have to do to please God?” Instead, transformed Christians really ask the popular catch phrase, “What Would Jesus Do?” and then obey it with a steadfast desire to please God. Ask yourself, “Am I looking into the Word for loopholes, or to really understand God and please Him?”