IN EVERY FIELD THERE IS A STANDARD

     In every field there is a standard of perfection. By this
standard all things are measured. The U. S. Bureau of standards for
Weights and Measures determines whether our scales are right or wrong.
It will not do to argue with the standard -- it is right. If we agree
with the standard, we are right; if not, we are wrong. Even in the
measurement of power developed in automobile motors and in engines of
all sorts there is a standard measurement, the horsepower. The watt in
measuring electricity; the karat in determining gold; the second in
judging time --- these are standards in their respective fields.
     What is the standard in religion? Jesus Christ said, "He that
rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:
the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day"
(John 12:48). In Revelation 20:12, John said, "And I saw the dead,
small and great, stand before God and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were
judged out of these things which were written in the books according
to their works." Isaiah speaks, "To the law and to the testimony: if
they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light
in them" (Isaiah 8:20).
     There must be a standard authority in all things, or else
confusion and disorder will result. This is true with reference to man
and it is even more true with reference to the doctrine of Jesus
Christ and the desire of the Heavenly Father. The God of the souls of
mankind is not the author of confusion. So states the inspired writer
in 1 Corinthians 14:33. All authority was given to Christ Jesus. See
Matthew 28:18. Man has no right to question nor to alter that
authority. The Word of God is able to perfectly furnish us unto every
good work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). For these reasons, it should be the
wish of each one to speak where the Bible speaks and to remain silent
where the Bible is silent. Let us be content to do Bible things in
Bible ways.
   ----Jack Thompson, preacher for the White Park church of Christ.

Return to Index
Home