God’s Minimum Standard

God has ordained that man be redeemed from his life of sin. For this reason, He sent that His Only Son should come into the world and be crucified some 2000 years ago. By His death, sin was to be purged from the lives of those who apply the blood to their hearts(by faith). “And she shall bring forth a son and thou shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins,” Mathew 1:21. Having accomplished this purpose, a new path to God was made. “And the time of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent,” Acts 17:30. Repent from what? From committed SINS. What is sin? The willful transgression of God’s law. God’s standard is simply a life free from sins.

God called Abraham and instructed him, “walk before me and be thou perfect,” Genesis 17:1. The gospel of Christ came with a thunderous sound, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Mark 1:15. The sound is still very clear and unambiguous. This message was first preached to the Jews, who, although with a religion, had wandered away from God. The gospel message sounded differently from what they were used to hearing as John heralded it around the coast of Jordan. They were convicted and came confessing their sins, and received the baptism of water. This is the requirement. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” It is not about reading them out as they are written in the scriptures, but actually allowing them to be fulfilled in our lives.

The gospel message is still the same today. as it was in the time of John, so it is today. It never loses its power. The word of the Master is definite: “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,” Luke 13:5. Repentance means regretting sins committed and turning away from them. “Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes, cease to do evil,” Isaiah 1:16.

You may have filled up religious houses, if people have not truly repented from sins, there is really no hope of salvation. Today, people really want God to receive them the way they are as sinners. Yes, God calls the sinner, but He certainly would not want him to remain so. Sadly, the Christians of our day are not saved. It is an irony. They want miracles, they want to worship and dance. They also want to be entertained and hear prophetic messages from their hired preachers. Notwithstanding, God has said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Said the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts, and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats,…bring me no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me, the new moons and the Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with, it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting,…And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear, your hands are full of blood,” Isaiah 1:11-13 and 15.

John baptizing in Jordan rebuked his audience thus: “Oh ye generation of vipers, who had warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for REPENTANCE,” Mathew 3:7b and 8. You cannot go to heaven with your sins, you cannot serve God while you hang on to sinful life such as fornication, theft, lying, and love of the world. You must repent from them and bring fruits of a repented sinner.

People say they have accepted Jesus Christ, but continue to live as they like. No! if you believe the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will live by His word. Repentance will make you to put away the evil of your doings and you will be cleansed by the precious blood of Christ.

It is written, “Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it,” Isaiah 1:18-20.

God’s standard is different from those of the Pharisees of those days and of our days. Here is Christ’s description: “These people draweth unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” Mathew 15:8-9. WORSHIP WITHOUT REPENTANCE IS VAIN WORSHIP. So, holy living is the standard. “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see God.” “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully.” Psalm 24:3-4.

Men have taken refuge under grace to continue sinning, but Paul queried, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? GOD FORBID. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world,” Titus 2:11,12.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandment, for this is the whole duty of man,” Ecclesiastes 12:13. God will not change his laws for our profanities; we must align ourselves with them if we want to go with God. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” He that soweth to the flesh will reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit, will reap life eternal. We must make this distinction and then make the right decision to walk according to God’s plan, live a life free from sin, that is the only way to find the eternal life and peace in God.