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In every phase of human activity, we constantly see the need for recognizing a standard of authority. In time, weights, and measures, we accept certain standards otherwise, there would be confusion. Our honesty and sincerity is not sufficient when it comes to determining the time of day or how much we should pay or receive for an undetermined amount of merchandise. We do not insist on our watches being the standard, but instead we set our watches by that which is recognized as the standard. When our watches show a variation in time, we do not argue that "one watch is as good as another". Neither do we insist that our watches are right because we are sincere. The difference in the time shown by our watches can easily be solved by each one of us accepting a common authoritative standard.
This same principle, when applied, will certainly solve our differences in the realm of religious activity. If we are ever united religiously, it will be because we have accepted and obeyed the same rule or standard as being authoritative.
WHAT ABOUT THE LAW OF MOSES?
God gave a law to Israel by Moses. (John 1:17; Deuteronomy. 5:1-15). It was provisional and temporary. (See Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:6-13; Galatians 3:19). It was to serve as a schoolmaster to bring the Israelites to Christ, (Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.), but it was not intended to be the criterion for people in this last dispensation. Jesus came to fulfill the law. (Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.). The law was nailed to the cross and the Israelites thus became dead to the law by the body of Christ. (See, Colossians 2:14-17; Romans 7:4-7). God gave the sabbath command because Israel was a servant in the land of Egypt and was delivered by God's hand. (Deuteronomy 5:15). We are not Israelites who were in Egyptian bondage.
Therefore God never gave the law of Moses to us. I believe every word found in the Old Testament, but I do not accept it as being our standard to govern us today. We are to use it for learning and admonition, but not as law. (See Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
1Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.).
WHAT ABOUT HUMAN WISDOM AND REASON?
Many people idolize human wisdom and reason. They accept nothing in spiritual matters unless to them it is rational. Thus in many instances, they set aside divine revelation. Each person becomes a standard within himself. Hence, no common standard or ground of agreement is possible. Isaiah 55:8,9 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." The thoughts of these verses should make us afraid to enthrone human reason and wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-21, the apostle Paul said,18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.".
We cannot accept human wisdom and divine revelation at the same time. Paul said, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools". (Romans 1:22). Solomon stated,"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death". (Proverbs 14:12). Human wisdom cannot be accepted as a standard of authority if we truly desire eternal salvation.
WHAT ABOUT THE MAJORITY?
What the majority of people say in some matters should be accepted, but such is not the case in spiritual matters. Even under the law of Moses, God said, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." (Exodus 23:2). In Matthew 7:13,14, Jesus said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." The idea that "since everybody is doing it, therefore it is right" is certainly foreign to the teaching of the New Testament. The majority is not the standard in spiritual matters.
WHAT ABOUT THE CONSCIENCE?
The conscience does not constitute an authoritative standard because a person may have a good conscience while engaging in sin. Paul said in Acts 23:1, "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day". He further states in Acts 26:9 that he "verily thought" within himself that he "ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth". We learn from other passages that during the time that he had a good conscience, he was guilty of being exceedingly mad against Christians, and of being a blasphemer, and a persecutor and injurious. (See Acts 26:10,11; 1 Tim. 1:13). Let us not think that the conscience is the standard!
WHAT IS OUR STANDARD?
We learn from Hebrews 1:1,2 that in these last days God hath spoken unto us by His Son. The words of Jesus Christ are spirit and life. (John 6:63). His gospel is God's power to save us. (Romans 1:16). He took away the first testament that He might establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9,10). Since Jesus Christ is the head of the church and has all authority but in heaven and earth, (Matthew 28:18),obviously, His Word must be accepted as the rule or standard. His teaching constitutes a "perfect law of liberty"(James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.).
Are you willing to accept it?
Do you believe what it says about how to be saved?
(Consider Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2;38; Galatians 3:26,27).
Have you obeyed the Lord's Will?
Do you believe what Christ's Testament says about the church?
(Consider Acts 20:18; 2:47; Ephesians 5:23-27).
Do you believe what it says about what name we are to wear?
See Acts 4:12; 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16).
Do you believe what it says about how to worship?
(John. 4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Do you believe what it says about how to live?
(Titus 2:11,12; Romans 12:1,2).
There can be unity if we all accept the same thing as our standard and follow it! Otherwise, there will be confusion and division!
Whether we accept Christ's Word as authoritative or not, it will judge us in the last day!
John 12:48 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.
by Carrol R. Sutton, in The Instructor, Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1964.
