Standards: an idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations. The idea of standards is a novel thing. Standards assure that the method, element, or procedure conforms in the same manner and is correctly carried out as it is prescribed. A standard means that when a pharmaceutical company makes a drug, that drug is the same each and every time it is made. Standards apply to automobiles in that every time that model car rolls of the assembly line, its qualities are the same as the car before and the car after, as designed. Standards also play a role in the lives of people as they gage how we live our lives. These standards are a bit trickier to apply. There are standards that prohibit the uses of obscene language on public airwaves and television. There are standards in the workplace that all employees are treated with due respect and regards. Employees also adhere to standards in that they are at work on time, on their assigned days to work. Some people live by standards that keep their actions wholesome and their talk decent. Other people may not live to a higher standard and they may talk coarsely, behave badly, and even dress brazenly. Some standards apply to everyone and are required to assure harmony within our communities in which we live. The speed limit is imposed to assure public safety. If an item doesn’t belong to you, don’t take it. If someone isn’t invited into another person’s home or dwelling, then they need to stay out. Standards sure seem to be a worthy practice; yet, we see over and over and over again, some people just don’t get it. We live in a culture that is filled with people that have no regards for laws, rules, or any standard once so ever. We want to call these individuals criminals; but, unfortunately, we can also call them politicians. Aren’t these the people that are in charge of developing and keeping the standard to begin with? Now, we must also realize that there are standards established in God’s word that Christians are required to live by that raises the bar even higher for us than those living in the world. God isn’t joking when he calls us to a higher level of living. ⇐-- To view the entire message text, please download and read the PDF file ****