"The Standard" -2

There is no word 'standard' within the writings of the New Testament, yet there are many words which are similar, all of which pertain to the three root meanings of the word. To be precise about something such as a word, sometimes we must dig really deep; and even then we can still get wrong answers. The first definition that I would look to is the one that is a sign; a banner or flag that represents something; much like every nation, state, or organization has a symbol that they put forth to represent who they are. In the Old Testament, God instructed the children of Israel in Numbers to erect a standard that would represent each tribe and then to pitch their tents around their specific standard. They would also use that standard as a banner in the formation by which they would march through the wilderness; each tribe marching in formation behind the banner which represented them. In the New Testament, Jesus gave several references to this definition of what standard means; the most favorite of mine is in John 3:14, where Jesus tells Nicodemus, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up". Now the standard for the medical industry is this symbol of the brass serpent wrapped around a staff and lifted up. The second definition of standard has to do with measurement, or to have something which is the authorized model by which a unit of measurement is made. In this example of what this word means, the standard given for the forgiveness of sin is something which works nicely. Many different levels of forgiveness are listed throughout the Bible, but the highest standard was set by Jesus Christ, as He shed His blood for our sins upon the cross. This was the Father's authorized model of a perfect sacrifice! Never to be repeated, but always to be looked to for the only standard of true forgiveness of sin. The third definition for the word standard is the one that causes strife in ourselves, families, friendships, and even the church; for it is the level of quality or excellence, and the level of quality accepted as norm. These are actually two separate definitions, but the second one is usually used in the plural; however, they both define the judgement of attainments. The reason that this particular standard causes strife amongst each other, is that we all expect certain levels of treatment from one another; a wife expects her husband to show her affection; a boss expects his employee to show him respect; each and everyone of us have a predetermined standard by which we judge how others treat us, or how we place the treatment that we receive by others. When we do not get that which we have expected to receive, then we can have the possibility of disliking the treatment given, and consequently disliking that person or persons. This definition is also the greatest one to put forth the Standard of our faith, because there is no other way by which a man can be saved than to accept God's Son; which is His level of quality or excellence!!!