God’s Standard or Yours?

Whether we believe in God or not, or live by His commands or not, all of us will stand before Him at one point and be judged by His standards. - Clint Decker

If a student does not have at least a 59% grade, they will fail their class. If a person does not have an airplane ticket, they cannot board a plane. If someone does not have a driver’s license, they cannot drive their vehicle on the road. Standards. Expectations. They are everywhere. Including in mankind’s relationship with our Creator. (Image by Matt DiGeronimo)

The Bible is God’s revelation to us. If anyone wants to know more about God, that is the first place to go. It contains many descriptions of Him. In 1 John 4:8, it says, “…God is love.” Revelation 4:8 states, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty…” Psalm 47:7 declares, “…God is the King of all the earth…” The Bible also describes God as “righteous.” In Isaiah 45:21, God says, “And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God…” Then in another place, the Bible says regarding the gospel, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (Romans 1:17)

What does “righteousness” mean? It is not a commonly used word in our everyday conversations. The root word “right” helps define it. It refers to God’s rightness, perfection, guiltlessness, innocence, faultlessness, or justice. Therefore, because God is righteous, He acts righteously. The Bible reveals this through God’s commands. They lay out His expectations, not just for His followers, but for all mankind.

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He addressed moral standards regarding anger: “…everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” (Matthew 5:22). He also spoke about sexual immorality: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:27-28) Jesus also set the bar high in dealing with our foes: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matt. 5:43-44)

Why is Jesus laying out these standards for us? Because it reveals His own righteousness, and the standard by which He lives. It shows us who He is, and how He expects us to live. In short, Jesus is our righteous standard. He made this clear when He spoke, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48) We are to be morally perfect. Not a spot of impurity in any of us. Who can achieve this, can you or even your pastor, rabbi, or priest?

Why this requirement? One might say, “This is God’s standard, not mine. I should not have to burden myself with trying to live this way.” However, in response, the Bible says, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed…” (Acts 17:30-31) Whether we believe in God or not, or live by His commands or not, all of us will stand before Him at one point and be judged by His righteousness. What if we are found lacking? Then we will face His judgment and the consequences of eternal death.

Where is the hope? Who can live this way and never fail? Only one person. Jesus. He is our singular hope, and this is why He went to the cross. He died and rose again to become our righteousness. We can never live perfectly enough to be accepted by God, and we do not have to. Why? Because Jesus already has. When a person turns from their sin and places their faith in Jesus, Jesus’ righteousness is credited to him, and he becomes graciously accepted by God.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I have failed to live according to your ways. I am an imperfect person. I repent and call upon you in faith. Today, may the righteousness of Christ become my own and may I become acceptable in your sight. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Honor. Commitment. Courage.

There is One who is the epitome of sacrifice and the ultimate example for every citizen and soldier. His name is Jesus. - Clint Decker

“On August 26, 1967, the Colonel was forced to eject from his aircraft over North Vietnam when it was hit by ground fire. His right arm was broken in 3 places, and his left knee was badly sprained. He was immediately captured by hostile forces and taken to a prison camp where he was interrogated and severely tortured.” This is the story of Colonel George Everette "Bud" Day, according to the National Medal of Honor Museum. Soon after his capture, Day escaped in the jungles of Vietnam, evading his captors for nearly 15 days before he was recaptured. Then he was eventually transferred to the famous “Hanoi Hilton” prison camp, where he remained until he was freed on March 14, 1973, surviving 2,028 days as a prisoner of war. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dan Hosack/Released)

As a teenager in 1942, George Day volunteered to enlist in the Marine Corps. When he signed up, he read the Marines' values- honor, commitment, courage- and understood it would require sacrifice. He likely did not fully understand that until August of 1967. Then, in 1977, when he retired from active duty, he understood sacrifice on a different level, living with the sounds, smells, and vivid memories of his years as a POW.

Military veterans understand sacrifice like few others do. However, one person is the epitome of sacrifice and the ultimate example for every citizen and soldier. His name is Jesus. He sacrificed His home and the perfect existence He lived in with His Father to come from heaven to earth. He stepped onto the spiritual battlefield for the souls of men and women. The singular weapon with which He fought was His divine word. It is written, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12) He used the sword of His tongue to slay evil and bring forth life.

As Jesus fought the enemies of flesh and blood and of hell itself, He knew the outcome. He knew He would be captured, arrested, and sentenced to die a torturous and brutal death. Yet He counted the cost and knew it was worth it to die on a cross for the souls of men and women. Then, after His death, He was laid in a tomb. His enemies rejoiced along with the devil himself and the demons of hell. However, on day three, something happened. Jesus rose from the dead and walked out of His tomb alive! His victory made freedom available for all people. Freedom from sin, which binds every man to his selfish and evil desires.

This freedom has now turned into a mission. Jesus, the General of the Lord’s Army, has commanded all His followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19) This mission requires great sacrifice. As Jesus, the example, voluntarily gave of Himself, so we must give of ourselves. He taught, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

This call to sacrifice has enlisted millions across centuries. Multitudes have been rejected by society, arrested and sent to hard labor camps, while others have been tortured and killed for refusing to renounce Jesus.

Today, count the cost, receive Christ, and walk with Him. Follow His example of sacrifice, no matter the price. Entirely dedicate yourself to Him.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I thank you for the men and women who serve and have served in our armed forces. Thank you for the example of sacrifice found in Jesus. May I follow in His steps and surrender all to Him, no matter the cost. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Don’t Need Jesus

Many believe they can be friendly and make good moral choices without Jesus. Is that why Jesus came. Just to make us morally good? - Clint Decker

“Saying you ‘need Jesus’ in order to be a good person is to admit that you would be evil without him.” That is from an online discussion on Reddit. The writer frames the mission and message of Jesus around the moral reformation of humanity. Was that the purpose of Jesus? 

Dan Barker calls himself the “Friendly Neighborhood Atheist” and has a song he wrote called, “I Don’t Need Jesus.” He believes he can be friendly and make good moral choices without Jesus. Atheists, agnostics, followers of other religions and people with no religion feel the same way. Some churchgoers agree, but it looks different. They go to church, they believe in Jesus, engage in Christian religious activities, but do not do what Jesus says to do. Like atheists, they prefer to put forward their best effort at what they think is right while hoping there is more good than bad at the finish line of life. 

Such thinking is embraced by millions around the world. It is nothing new or unique in the span of history. Jesus directly dealt with this when He walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem. 

He once bluntly told the Pharisees, a religious group that was always following Him around and publicly questioning Him, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15) 

The Pharisees had Jesus in front of them in the flesh. They talked with him and engaged Him multiple times. They heard His teachings first-hand and personally witnessed His miracles. Yet, they choose not to trust in Him. Instead, they had their own morality based on the Hebrew Scriptures and their traditions. When they reflected on that, they felt validated by not needing to follow the ways of Christ. 

Jesus saw precisely what was happening, and blatantly told them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men…” This what occurs when someone feels they do not need Jesus, pick and choose what they follow of His commands, or when they live by their own morality. They are like a god unto themselves, determining what they feel is right or wrong, and establishing their own truth. They are at peace with themselves because they have justified their actions. Read how Jesus responded, “…but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Jesus invokes the Creator and Supreme Law Giver and Judge of all mankind. He tells us how the Lord God looks beyond the outward moral choices we make and deep into our hearts. He assesses our attitudes, beliefs, convictions, values and motives. Therefore, when we reject the ways of Christ, He sees the motive beneath it. Then Jesus declares, “For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” The ways of this world may champion the rejection of Jesus for independence and self-determination, but God condemns it.

On the surface we may resent the strong words of Jesus. But is there something beneath it. Love. The Scriptures teach, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) We are all tempted to go our own way. It is human nature to resist God. In love, He calls us to stop and turn back to Him. This is why He sent His beloved Son to die and rise again on our behalf. He invites us to know Him and follow Him, the One who created us. He came to liberate you, and set you free. Stop resisting and start trusting. Receive your freedom today.      

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will help me to see myself through your eyes. May I stop justifying my actions and humble myself before you. Let me see my need for Jesus and follow Him with all my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.