1. God’s Standard The whole person both inward and outward The walk and the talk

2. Standard The word “standard” in the scriptures appear 22 times in the OT only and refers to a symbol carried on a pole and raised high in the air, much like a flag or banner, to rally a tribe or group of warriors in battle (Numbers 2; Isa 59) Webster’s definition also includes: –An established reference –Serving as a criterion or gauge –Of recognized excellence

3. An Established Reference Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt 4:4 and Luke 4:4) The words that I speak, they are spirit and they are life (John 6:63) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalms 119:105) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)

4. Serving as a criterion or gauge (Plumbline) Amos 7:7-8 (II Kings 21:13; Isa 28:17) –Plumbline: A small heavy weight on the end of a long cord, used to make sure a wall is standing straight. –The Lord measuring the nation of Israel with a plumb line. –The people were not considered true and straight in their devotion to God because they had fallen into worship of false gods.

5. Examples of Plumb Line

6. Of recognized excellence Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is EXCELLENT in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. (Job 37:23) O LORD our Lord, how EXCELLENT is thy name in all the earth! (Psalms 8:9) How EXCELLENT is thy lovingkindness (Psalms 36:7) But now hath he obtained a more EXCELLENT ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)

7. Man’s Duty Let us hear the conclusion of the WHOLE matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. (Eccl 12:13) –Fear: honor and reverence God; not to be afraid of God. –If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15)

8. Inward Isa 16:17 man looketh at the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh at the heart. III John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, even as thy soul prospereth. Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the INNER MAN

9. Outward (Romans 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye PRESENT YOUR BODIES a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Deut 22:5) The woman shall not wear that which PERTAINETH UNTO A MAN, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. (I Timothy 2:9) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; (I Timothy 2:10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works

10. There is A Difference Lev 10:10 And that ye may put DIFFERENCE BETWEEN holy and unholy, and BETWEEN unclean and clean; Lev 11:47 To make a DIFFERENCE BETWEEN the unclean and the clean, Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN the holy and profane, and cause them to discern BETWEEN the unclean and the clean

11. God’s Standard The whole person both inward and outward The walk and the talk