A Higher Standard

Today on NPR a woman who goes by Lo (Living Oprah) was telling how she based her life on the teachings of Oprah Winfrey. I've got to tell you I was disappionted to a new level of disappointments. Before she does anything she asks herself, "What would Oprah do?" She is trying to live for one year by the precepts of Oprah. On her website, Lo wonders, "will I trully find bliss if I commit wholeheartedly to her lifestyle suggestions?"

Now I have heard the catch-phrase "What Would Jesus Do?" (WWJD) for around a decade now, but I think it has mostly become an identifying cliche more than a way of living. Not that it is a bad saying, but like most other catch phrases, it quickly became over-used.

Well, what would it look like if I asked myself "What would Oprah do?" before I made all my decisions? If she was perfect, then she would indeed be a good standard. But if she is not perfect, then she will be a bad standard and I will mess up in at least every way she messes up.

In John 13:13-17, Jesus taught the disciples saying, "You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." If your teacher is flawed, then you also will be flawed. However, Jesus was perfect in every way. In God's eyes, Jesus is our standard. He is the perfection we are measured against.

We know we can never measure up on our own. I have heard it said that sin is like the Grand Canyon between sinful us on one side and our holy God on the other. No matter how hard we try to get to God our efforts will always fall short. But the cross of Jesus bridged the gap between us and God. Only the sacrifice of Jesus will enable us access to the Father.

In 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul wrote, "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all." When we confess and cry out to the Lord to save us, from then on God the Father sees us as holy through His Son Jesus. The way we live affects how usable we are for Him.

So whether you say the words "WWJD" or not, stay focused on the only standard that matters, Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus said, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

---Johnie