A Higher Standard
Isaiah 55 says God’s ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts than our thoughts. His word is the higher standard. The characteristic of God according to the Old Testament is loving kindness and tender mercy. His steadfast love is singularly significant… His love is remarkable and extraordinary… a higher standard than the standard of this world.
In Matthew 5 Jesus said, “you have heard that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” This is the world’s standard. However Jesus continued, “but I say love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you and despitefully use you.” Why? Because unconditional love is the nature of God himself. God wants to reproduce his children “after his kind.” He loves us despite the fact that we were unlovable. He has given us his love with mercy and grace even though we do not deserve it. He loved us not because we were deserving but because God is love…. not because of who we are but because of who He is.
According to Acts 1:8, Jesus said, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, you shall receive power from on high and you shall be witnesses unto me. The power from on high is the power to overcome the power of this world. Anyone can resent and wish evil upon their enemies. However the power of the Holy Spirit is to love the unlovable and to forgive the unforgivable. This is the love wherewith he loved us, for in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly.
The love of God is remarkable, uncommon, and above the standard of this world. Jesus said, therefore be ye perfect as your father is perfect. The perfection is not in our own power. The perfection is in the power of the Holy Spirit… the spirit of God in Christ in you the hope of glory. For in Christ he has made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Our perfection is not in our sinful nature that we inherited from Adam. Instead, our perfection is in the righteousness of Christ we inherited from God when we were born again of his Holy Spirit… born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever.
Jesus said, a new commandment I give to you… that ye love one another. The ability to love one another is a gift he gave to us. The purpose is that we shall be his witnesses… that those who do not know Christ can witness the love of God which is not of this world. Therefore encourage one another to love and good deeds.
Even churches seem to be in competition and strife against other churches. However, 1 Corinthians 13 is the higher standard. The “charity checklist” for the love of God begins in verse 4: Love is patient, love is kind. It’s never selfish or rude. It’s not prideful or touchy. Love rejoices with the success and blessings of others. It rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love beareth all things, believeth all things , hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth.
Today’s worldly standard of political correctness says, “I have the right not to be offended.” The world will trick us to criticize, condemn, and complain. However, the love of God is not easily provoked and thinketh no evil. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father except by me.” According to John 15 Jesus Christ is the standard. He said, “Unless the branch abides in the vine, the branch cannot bear fruit. I am the vine and ye are the branches.”
Outside of Christ, the Christian life is impossible. Unless we have the power of Christ in us, we cannot forgive the unforgivable and love the unlovable…. not even ourselves. If our love doesn’t carry us above ourselves, then it’s not the love of God. As the apostle Paul said, “in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”
Oswald Chambers said, “After being born again of God’s spirit, I found myself on a mission to abide in Christ in every area of my life… to bring all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. I don’t need to change and arrange my circumstances. Jesus himself found himself in the circumstances where God planted him. He always did his father’s will. Therefore seek the Lord while he may be found. In the early stages of a new Christian’s walk, it’s a deliberate effort. Then as we mature, abiding in Him becomes second nature.”
Pastor Pete remembers when the Irvine Boys and Girl’s Club where his church was meeting had a change of direction. Their director said, “I’m sorry but in six months, we’ll need to use our auditorium for a different purpose than the assembly hall where your church meets.” Pete could tell that this man was concerned for the continuation of Pete’s congregation. Pete assured him, “we’re so thankful for your generosity in allowing our church to meet here these many years. You made the right decision. God will take care of the needs of our congregation. He will provide a place for us to meet. God will bless your decision to proceed in the direction he’s given you.” The director said, “Thank you for your kind Christian response.”
As men of God we have not been called to stand against the standards of this world. Instead, we have been called to be witnesses for Christ of God’s grace, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. These are the qualities of the unconditional love of God which is His righteous standard. We cannot love in our own power. However of Him are we in Christ Jesus who was made unto us God’s wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. In Christ we were called to His higher standard… as Jesus said, “to love one another even as I have loved you.”
God works all things for good to those who love him and are called according to His purpose. The lyrics to the song, “Is He worthy?”, are appropriate to remember God’s remarkable love wherewith he loved us…. for his love is His nature, not ours. Because He loved us we can love Him… The greatest blessing is not in the blessings, but that we have the high and holy privilege of loving Him…
“Is He Worthy?” Lyrics by Andrew Peterson:
Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is
Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David’s root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?
He is, He is…
…Is He worthy of all blessing and honor and glory? He is! He Is!
The blessing is not in the blessings, but in blessing Him…
…That we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
