Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
January 2, 2022

What Kind of Standard Do You Have?
by J. F. Dancer, Jr.
Years ago, I worked in Washington, D.C. and had the occasion to visit a place called the “Bureau of Weights and Measures.” It was the group of people responsible for seeing that when we go to the gasoline pump we really get a gallon of gas and when we go the meat market we really get 16 ounces when we purchase a pound of hamburger. It is these folks who check scales, pumps, etc. You see, our government has a “standard” for everything and those who are merchants are supposed to live up to that standard.
Do you have a standard by which you live? Surely you do. We have a standard for determining how much is in a pound, how much is in a bushel, how much is in a yard, even how many cents make up a dollar. These things are important to our daily lives and we live by them and expect others to do the same.
Even the religion that pleases God has a standard. It is the Bible. God gave it by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). These inspired people wrote the things God revealed to them (see Ephesians 3:1-5) and we can read them to know what is in the mind of God. We can also learn by what we will one day be judged. Jesus spoke of those who would reject his teaching (John 12:48), then said that even though they rejected His words, these same words would judge them in the last day.
I might decide I want to get 5 quarts of gas and call it a gallon when I go to the station—would that change the standard? Suppose the person who is operating the station sets his pump to just put 3 quarts in what it calls a gallon—would that change the standard? No, of course not. In the first case I want more than is allowed and in the second they want to give less than is required. We both might get by with our actions for a time but that would still not change the standard by which Americans are supposed to live.
This is what Peter had in mind when he said if people speak they should speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11). It is also what Paul had in mind when he warned the saints at Corinth to not think of men above that which is written (1 Corinthians 4:6). The Lord expects us to study the scriptures and then to follow them closely.
But the standard some folks use is simply what they were taught as a youth. If it was good enough for their forefathers they feel it is good enough for them. Others allow their friends to set the standard. They want to fit in with the people with whom they have to do.
It is interesting that Paul told Timothy to continue doing the things he had been taught as a youth, but then added to that, the things he learned from the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-15). It is also interesting that when Paul wrote to the saints at Rome he told them not to let the world around them determine their standard (Romans 12:1-2). So, it all comes back to the idea that in order to be pleasing to God we have to follow His standard.
Business people know in order to stay in business they must accept the standards set by the Bureau of Weights and Measures. So in religion, if we are to stay in business (and please God) we have to follow the standard He has given.
Many churches exist that do not follow the standard that God set. One day they will realize this to their regret (see Matthew 7:21-23). Many people call themselves “Christians” but are not following the standard God gave. They expect the Lord to accept the standard they set for themselves. This is much like the Jews in Paul’s day of whom he wrote in Romans 10:1-3. They were religious and they followed a standard, but God condemned them because they failed to follow the standard God gave. Let us be sure we are following the proper standard.

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.