Called Higher
Jun 9, 2009 different, teens set apart
I am going to talk about standards in this post. I am not going to list rules on whether or not such and such a movie is bad because of so and so or such and such clothes are immodest because of so and so. That would be wrong. However I am going to show that Christians are called to a higher standard than just above the world’s current morals.
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”
~Galatians 5:16-18
Are you a born again Christian today? If you are, you are called to live by the Spirit and not to indulge in any sin. You cannot serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other. We are called to live by God’s standards of living, not just a wee bit better than what the culture currently thinks is right and wrong.
Jack Valenti, former president of the MPAA, stated in a speech broadcast on C-Span several years ago that the rating system for movies is not an oak, but a willow. It bends and bows for however the current morals of the culture are. (Worldly Amusements by, Wayne A. Wilson, pg. 199.) However God’s rating system is inflexible. If he is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever, his morals of what is right and wrong will be the same.
So, where do we find these morals that Christians are called to live by? God’s standards are defined in his word. I do not go looking up what kind of horn the Cape Horn is in a biology book. That way I would get the wrong answer. The same way, we don’t look at the world to find out how to live a holy life pleasing to God. We look to God’s word.
Now here is where it gets difficult. Your standards may not be the same as mine. You might conclude from the fact that God’s standards never change that Christian’s standards are always the same. It is not that easy. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul talks about eating food offered to idols and how for some that could be a stumbling block while for others it doesn’t affect them. Sometimes there is certain things that might not be sin for another person, while it might defile another’s conscience.
Here is a modern example of what Paul is talking about. I personally like listening to Christian rap music. My mom doesn’t because it reminds her of secular rap, which has to do with gangs, violence, and other sin. I don’t have that past experience. Rap music reminds me of Christian artists like tobyMac. My mom and I have discussed this, so now whenever my mom is around I do not play that style of music. I am not hiding it from her, I am not listening to it when she’s around because she doesn’t like it. [Disclaimer: I'm not saying rap as a style of music is bad or good scripturally, I'm just giving you an example from my own life.]
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” The Holy Spirit guides our standards of whether or not to watch this movie or listen to this music or to wear that. God gives us in his word certain things that we are to and not to talk about, look at, or participate in, but we need to ask the Holy Spirit to give us discerning hearts in the application.
I encourage you to read, pray, discuss, and apply. Read the Word of God to see whether or not to talk, watch, listen, or wear. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your decision. Discuss with your parents and mature Christians how you can apply the scripture’s standards in your life. Apply God’s higher standard in you life, in order to live as the spotless bride of Christ. In this life we won’t perfectly attain God’s standards, but we need to continue pursuing them nevertheless.
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Tags: born again, called, different, higher, standards
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