Nuggets from Countdown to the Second Coming—The Standard and Power (Part 1)

In Colossians 3, Paul gives as complete a description as we can find anywhere in Scripture of the Christian life—what we should and what we should not be and do. The Christian is to mortify his bodily passions: “fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry…anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication…”, and so forth. Having done that, he is to express in holiness and love “mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering….” The list goes on, providing a complete pattern of godliness. In that one chapter, the Apostle Paul clearly presents the Christian life in unmistakable and practical terms.

Of course, most religions have moral standards and require a code of behavior for their adherents to follow. Buddha had his Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, Confucius his secular ethical philosophy. Other religions have their standards that, to some extent, reflect God’s moral laws written in everyone’s conscience. It is axiomatic, however, that no ethical philosophy can provide the moral strength to live up to its standards. No law can save; it can only condemn. Christianity, which sets by far the highest standard of all, is alone in providing the power to live a “holy life. Therein lies another element of the uniqueness that separates it from every religion the world has ever known.