The Same Standard
Suppose a person goes into a hardware store and asks for one yard of rope. Imagine the confusion if the salesman feels a yard is 20 inches instead of 36. Much turmoil is avoided in our society because we have a set measurement standard — we all go by the same standard.
There is also a set standard of authority in religious matters, which is the Bible. As God’s inspired message, it will guide and fully furnish us (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We must “abide” in God’s Word (2 Jn. 9), and we will be judged by it on the day of judgment (Jn. 12:48).
Have you noticed the turmoil that exists in the religious world today? There are many different and conflicting religious systems, doctrines, and practices. This does not come from the Bible — God is not the author of this confusion (1 Cor. 14:33). Perhaps one reason for this situation is the many different standards people use besides the Bible. With this being the case, there is little wonder that things exist as they do.
Consider a few non-biblical standards people use today.
1. Creeds - Some use the creed of the church where they attend to guide them. These promote division. As noted, the Bible is all we need (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
2. Scholars & Religious Leaders - People often quote a religious leader or scholar to prove their point. They might then say, “Are you smarter than this person?” Sometimes innovations are brought into the church and are defended because some respected preachers from the past believed the practice was Scriptural. There is nothing wrong with examining the teaching and reasoning of various scholars on some subject and then comparing their logic to what the Scriptures say. We can learn from others, but we should not use scholars and religious leaders as our authority. God’s Word is our authority, and we are to stand in the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 2:5). Even Peter practiced error, stood condemned, and was opposed “to the face” by Paul (Gal. 2:11-21).
It is essential to understand that teachers and scholars, although knowledgeable, can be wrong. Pick almost any issue, and scholarly people exist on both sides. God’s Word, not a mere human being, is to be our authority.
3. Conscience - Others use their conscience as their standard of authority. They might say, “Just let your conscience be your guide.” This approach, however, cannot be a correct standard as a person can have a good conscience and yet be in sin. Some can even steal and kill with a good conscience.
Consider the case of Paul. Paul, before his conversion, was a persecutor of Christians, and during this time, he had a good conscience. In Acts 23:1, he said, “...Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” In Acts 26:9, he said, “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Paul was following his conscience, but he was wrong.
If conscience alone is the correct standard, there are as many standards as people. A conscience may be programmed incorrectly, and thus a person could have a good conscience and still be in sin. Undoubtedly, the conscience, by itself, is not a correct standard of authority. The Word of God needs to program our conscience.
4. Parents’ Belief - Others rely on their parents as their sources of authority in religious matters and will not accept the truth on certain subjects because their parents did not believe that way. This approach is also wrong. We must always honor our parents, but we must realize they may have been wrong in their beliefs and practices. We must not reject the truth simply because it contradicts our parents’ beliefs. Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
5. The Majority - Some people use the concept of the majority as a standard of right and wrong in religious matters. They feel that it cannot be wrong if the majority practices something. For example, they might say, “Why there are millions in the religious group that I am a part of,” or “there are many who believe as I believe.” Does the fact that a majority believes a particular thing makes it right? Is it correct to use the majority as our source of authority or to believe a certain way simply because so many others do?
It should be evident that the majority are not to be our standard of authority because, if it is, “truth” will change as we change locations. For example, the majority’s beliefs about a particular matter may differ in the South than in the North. Also, the views of the majority may vary from country to country. Some nations, for example, consist of people who do not believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. If people use the majority as their standard, they would actually need to change their beliefs every time they change locations. Considering the entire world, most religious people do not profess “Christianity.”
Consider a few Bible principles. Exodus 23:2 warns, “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil” Jesus, in Matthew 7:13-14, tells us this standard is wrong when he says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” In some situations, there is safety in numbers. However, this concept is not correct in spiritual matters. We must not use the majority as our source of authority.
These are just some standards people use today instead of God’s Word, but we should all be willing to use only the Bible as our standard. Then, there would be less turmoil and error in the religious world, and more would be pleasing to God!
