Measuring Sticks

Sunday Sermons

Mark Dunagan
10/08/06 - Sunday Morning

Measuring Sticks

Even though we live in a world where it is popular to ridicule Biblical Authority or deny the existence of absolute truth, one writer observed, “Even those who say they reject all arguments based on authority base their arguments on authority” (Authority Always Wins, Andree Seu, World Magazine, 10-25-2003, p. 47). In fact, we all rely on authority all the time, C.S. Lewis noted, “Of every hundred facts upon which to reason, ninety-nine depend on authority” (The Weight of Glory). In this lesson I want to examine some measuring sticks that I have seen people use in their attempt to justify themselves or establish some point of view.

Human Inconsistency

This attitude relies on the mistakes and sins of others to justify or excuse its own refusal to obey. It often starts in childhood, when mom and dad tell us perform some task and we immediately remind our parents that a sibling has not performed their chores or that some childhood friend isn’t even required to do such by their parents. It is noteworthy that the Jewish nation in Old Testament times was often inconsistent, and so inconsistent that the nations round about them ridiculed their God as a result (Romans 2:24). Yet none of this inconsistency changed God’s moral standards, the Law still stood (2:25-26). In like manner, there are congregations that are not consistent in applying Matthew 18:15-17, yet such inconsistency does not remove the necessity for us to follow these passages. A great example on this point is Noah. The entire human race was inconsistent, yet God still expected Noah to obey Him precisely (Genesis 6:5; 6:22). This means though, that if I see other Christians not putting God first (Matthew 6:33), this does not allow me to also put Him second or third in my life.

· The danger here is that people are tempted to dismiss a particular teaching because the person teaching it is not consistent, either in application or living it. Such does not erase the truth. Peter was inconsistent (Galatians 2:11-13), yet this did not remove the truthfulness of what he taught.

· So do not confuse the message with the messenger. Every Christian and every preacher has been inconsistent somewhere (1 John 1:8-10), yet the message is still true (John 17:17).

· It is interesting that the Pharisees were hypocritical and very inconsistent, yet Jesus said, “Therefore, all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds” (Matthew 23:3).

· Paul noted that some Christians were preaching the gospel from completely unworthy motives, yet this did not alter the truthfulness of the message (Philippians 1:15-18).

· It takes maturity to believe the truth even when the person presenting it might be arrogant, inconsistent, and hypocritical. In like manner, it takes equal maturity to reject error when the person presenting it is persuasive, friendly, a good friend, friend of the family, or a real nice guy.

Thus, the measuring stick of truth is not the attitude or our perception of the attitude with which the truth is presented.

The “Perfect” Presentation

Sometimes I hear people complaining that they were “turned off” by the attitude of some professed Christian. Now the Bible teaches us that attitude is essential in presenting the gospel (2 Timothy 2:24ff), but many people who complain about “the presentation” would probably have been equally offended by Jesus’ presentation. Read the following accounts and ask yourself, “Would you have continued to listen and repent?”

· Matthew 3:7

· Matthew 16:23

· Matthew 23:4ff

· Matthew 19:23-24

· Luke 9:57-62

Oneself

Even if a man or woman renounces every authority known to man, there is still the matter of self acting as final authority and arbiter. “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12). “To measure themselves by their own standards or by comparisons within their own circle” (Phi). “Measuring themselves against their own little ideas” (Tay). “To find in themselves their own standard of comparison” (NEB). “These enemies of the apostle form a mutual admiration society. Their own achievements constitute their standard of excellence” (Erdman p. 108). The danger here is not merely to measure oneself by one’s own opinions, but equally by the opinions of some group. Christians can fall into the trap of measuring themselves exclusively by the level of faithfulness and activity in the congregation where they attend. The false teachers here in Corinth felt secure in their “mutual admiration society”, yet it was a false security. This is one reason why we must resist the urge to lock ourselves into a small group of friends who all seem to believe the same thing at the moment. The group mentality is not the measuring stick that God will use at the judgment; rather the Word of God has always been the standard (John 12:48).

· It is not enough to simply say, “I do not agree”. “I” never was the standard of truth.

How this teaching will affect the world

“Several years ago I attended a debate on the issue of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. A preacher friend whom I had not seen in several years was also at the debate. As we visited, he indicated his agreement with the aforementioned erroneous position. He explained that he had been brought to adopt this view because there are so many people in the world who have been divorced and who are in second, third, or fourth marriages. He ‘reasoned’ that we will soon run out of people to whom we can teach the Gospel if we do not adopt a more liberal view of Jesus’ teaching than that which brethren at one time taught almost universally. I immediately responded that the immoral condition of society is hardly the right criterion for determining Truth and error. The preacher friend mentioned above actually admitted that raw emotion had led him to exchange the Truth for error on this subject” (“A Strange Criterion for Doctrine, Gospel Journal, March 2003, p. 2).

· Let us not forget that when Jesus gave His teaching in Matthew 19:9, divorces and remarriages were common as well.

· We certainly do not have the first century world beat on the level of immorality (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 1:25-31).

· In fact, such was so common, that the disciples were shocked by the lack of options in Jesus’ teaching on this subject (Matthew 19:10).

· Divorce and remarriage is not the only problem we find among potential converts. We equally find fornicators, homosexuals, and so on. Should verses that condemn these behaviors be adjusted as well?

· If someone is on their fourth marriage, and were able to leave three former spouses because of personal preferences, then certainly they can separate themselves for the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:12).

“Human Preferences”

In 1985 a “Unity Forum” involving some members of the Independent Christian Church (ICC) and some members of the liberal church of Christ convened in Tulsa, Oklahoma. One of the ICC members stated on that occasion that his brethren do not accept the argument against instrument music that is based upon Leviticus 10:1-2 (that is, that God is just as displeased with “strange music” today as He was with “strange fire” in Israel, and for the same reason, it is unauthorized). The preacher for the host congregation promised the ICC men that he would no longer use Leviticus 10:1-2 in discussing with them the use of instruments in worship. Of course, if one is going to cease using a verse because someone does not agree with its obvious application, one may as well cease from using any other passages that contain truth that people reject—which probably would include most of the Bible.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017