God's Standard for Holiness!

Wednesday morning, March 26, 2008
You cannot tell it but this is my third attempt at writing this perspective! For some reason, I cannot get into my usual “groove” and it is frustrating, to say the least. For some reason, I love to write, especially about Him, but today I am struggling. Usually the words flow freely but not today; instead, I am tempted to close my computer and forget about writing.
I wonder how many times Jesus felt like “closing His computer” and telling His Father that He was having a hard time getting into His “grove.” My guess is this: more than we think; after all, He was a man, you know. I feel sure that Paul felt like “closing his computer” many times and probably did so—frequently. Oh well—
This is what Jesus said (and He was very serious when He said it!): “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Gosh! How in the wide-world did He expect us ever to reach this standard? As far as I know, “perfect” is, well, it is perfect, but if it has a superlative, as Jesus seems to imply, then God’s perfection certainly demonstrates it, and I certainly cannot attain to it—period. Neither can you—period—so go ahead and admit it!
In case you haven’t already noticed this, I will go ahead and tell you: Jesus loved to raise the standard for holiness (righteousness) far above anything anyone could reach; to be sure He raised it above anything the Ten Commandments required. Take this for example: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’, but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Obviously, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize from this passage that Jesus’ standard for holiness was much higher than that required by the Ten Commandments; however (and sadly), most Christians see them as the standard for holiness, and most honestly believe that they come close enough to pass the “standards” test!
Just for the record: God does NOT grade on the curve and Christianity is NOT about our reaching some standard for holiness. In fact, Christianity (true Christianity) is not about us at all; instead, it is about Him and what He accomplished by and through the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension. Obviously, the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension all took place because we could not reach the standard and, desperately, needed a Savior, a Redeemer.
Let me say that this way: if your getting to Heaven depends upon your reaching the standard for holiness, you can forget it and make other plans. Thankfully, your getting to heaven depends upon Him and upon what He accomplished in your behalf—a thing of grace, indeed.
This is the good news: you can and should cease striving and, simply, rest in His finished work. He has already taken care of everything that will ever need to be taken care of—period (again!).

My Perspective: If you haven’t already done so, RUN TO JESUS and, then, rest from your running!

Amen!