What is the Christian Standard?
The Christian standard exists. By standard we mean that there is an expectation, a model, a way of living, and set principles that guide the Christian lifestyle.But, who set the standard? Well, let’s begin with Christ Jesus.
About Christ Jesus
Christ Jesus is the center of Christian worship, 33 lump years of history that hold the key to the nature of God and human destiny. Far beyond human imagination, the Eternal entered time, divinity dwelt in human flesh; God took on a human face. Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God -- human enough to empathize with us but also God enough to forgive our wickedness and save us from the torture of sin. The holy scriptures reveal that Christ was there before the beginning of time and before the foundation of the world. One gospel writer courageously states out that Christ is the word of God in the flesh. Although salvation was Christ’s ultimate goal for His solo trip to earth and adventure in human flesh, He also set some boundaries for those who would follow Him while on earth.
How the standard was set.
Christ walked on the earth and set the record straight concerning salvation and righteousness. What He taught and how He lived was recorded in scriptures and filed in a sizeable holy library we call the Bible. There are many differences between Christianity and the other religions around the world, but one of the major elements that set Christianity apart from other religions is Bible. It serves as the road map every Christian utilizes to navigate through life here on earth. But there is a lot more to the Bible than what we know. While many views and understandings of the Bible are valid, we should also bear in mind that the Bible, at its core, has one purpose: to point us to Jesus and reveal God through Him.
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Christ did not only reveal God to us, but He also displayed to us the heavenly lifestyle. He showed us the secret behind the curtain, also known as heaven. Christ desired to prepare us for heaven, and later on in the scriptures the apostles reveal to us that ‘we are citizens of heaven’ not of the earth. We are only here on earth temporarily. Therefore, as citizens of heaven, let’s carry out the lifestyle of heaven or live by the standard of heaven. This heavenly standard has become known as the Christian standard. Mandatory for everyone who believes in Christ as their Lord and Savior.
What is the Christian standard?
The heavenly lifestyle also known as the Christian standard is LOVE. Love is the Christian standard. Modeled by Christ himself with only two commandments. Christ said,
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31
Ladies and gentlemen, that is the Christian standard. LOVE is the standard, and there is none greater. All those who have set their lives to follow Christ ought to live according to these two things: 1. Love God and 2. Love your neighbor.
What about salvation?
Let’s not fool ourselves, though. This Christian standard does not bring salvation, but, rather, it is the outcome of salvation. It is for those devoted to following Christ. Those who are saved are filled with the love of God -- the same love that brought forgiveness over us. God loves us; therefore, we love others too. To whom much is given, much is required, so we give to others the same love God gives us. Our love for others is an overflow of the love of God for us. For that reason, we don’t live by the Christian standard to earn God’s love, but, instead, we live by the Christian standard as a result of God’s love for us.Christians today are worn out with the pressure to live by man-made rules and standards that are heavily polluted with manipulation, selfishness, and pride. Let’s rid ourselves of the pressure put on us to live by man-made Christian standards. And, instead, let’s live by the standard set by Christ.The Christian standard is love, love, love, love. Spread love like popcorn.No need to add nor subtract. Christ Himself even said “there are no other commandments more significant than these’’ (Mark 12:31). Love is the standard, Therefore, let's remove the pressures that church and society have put on us to be people we are not.If you want to be a good Christian, then Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself. That is it, period.