Properly Set!

If we were each to stop and look at our watches or clocks right now, would we all declare it to be the same time? There are at least two reasons why we would find variations in what we would each consider the correct time. First, we are not all living in the same time zone which means there could be a difference anywhere from one hour to twenty-four. Secondly, even if we were living in the same time zone, our watches and clocks might be close, but not each reflect the precise time. This past Sunday morning, the teacher of our adult Bible class asked several individuals what time it was according to their watches. The times given were 10:17, 10:18, 10:19 and 10:20. Each watch had apparently not been set to the SAME STANDARD. Watches and clocks are limited in their accuracy. Some lose time while others may gain a little each day. It is even stated that an atomic clock must be readjusted one second every million years.

The STANDARD by which time is measured, adjusted, and set is the rotation of the SUN. As the sun crosses each meridian line, the hours are marked off. The “prime meridian” is zero degrees longitude and runs through the original site of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England. Greenwich time is referred to when preciseness of time is being set. Our individual clocks and watches may help us be close to on time, but they periodically need adjustment. The same is true in life. For our lives to be in sync we need to set ourselves by the SAME STANDARD.

Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul stated…
“(3) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be JUDGED BY YOU or BY ANY HUMAN COURT. In fact, I DO NOT EVEN JUDGE MYSELF. (4) I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. IT IS THE LORD WHO JUDGES ME.” ( 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 ESV)

Paul mentioned three levels of judgment: that of public opinion, that of conscience (self), and that of the Lord. There may be great variations in the judgment (or opinion) of others. Like living in different time zones, we are not all at the same point spiritually and that can greatly affect perspective. Our own judgments may also need some adjustment. However, it is the STANDARD OF THE SON by which all other judgments or opinions need to be set. We can benefit from other’s observations and it is good to spend time in self-evaluation, but the PRECISE STANDARD for gauging our life is the SON OF GOD. May we retain Him as the “Prime Meridian” of our life!

Have a great day ALLOWING THE RULE OF CHRIST TO REGULATE THE LIFE!
Carl

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