The Bible – Our MOSOP (1)
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA few years ago, this writer was an employee of a major gas transmission company. Located in every department of that company were two large binders containing its “Manual Of Standard Operating Procedures” (MOSOP). Contained in this MOSOP were the rules and regulations with regard to all operating procedures and functions of the company (company policies and procedures). These rules and regulations were set up by the “authorities” of that company. In order to fully understand an MOSOP, we must first define the word, “standard”. A standard is that which is set up by authority as the criterion or test or as a source.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Third Edition, Page 1306, in regard to moral standards, gives us this definition: “the type, model, or example commonly or generally accepted or adhered to; criterion set for usages or practices [moral standards]”.
The Bible is our spiritual Manual Of Standard Operating Procedures (MOSOP) that contains the spiritual operating procedures and functions governing the church over which Christ governs (our governing “authority” – Matthew 16:18-19; Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-23; Ephesians 4:23-24; Colossians 1:18). For the Lord’s church to function properly, every member (Ephesians 5:30) should have a copy of this spiritual MOSOP not only readily available and accessible but also read, studied and adhered to on a daily basis (Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17). Understanding the Bible as our spiritual MOSOP is absolutely crucial to properly answering questions which pertain to man’s salvation from sin. Men do not need merely answers to religious questions; they need the right answers!
Jesus did not come into the world merely to make men religious. Men were religious long before Christ came into the world, but He came that men might be right religiously (Matthew 7:21-23). Being right religiously involves a recognition of and submission to the proper “standard”, that is, the will of God. There are some standards adhered to by man which are not true standards spiritually speaking. Consider the following false standards men adhere to in the religious world:
1) Some people use their own “feelings” as their spiritual standard. They answer such questions as, “Why are you convinced that you are saved?” by answering, “Because I feel it right here” (while pointing to their fleshly heart).
The Bible makes it clear that, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov 16:25). It is clear that it is possible for one to “feel” entirely satisfied about one’s spiritual condition and yet be lost (Matthew 7:21-23). thus, it is the case that “feelings” simply are not the true “standard” by which to govern one’s spiritual life, even though, if a person is right with God, he or she will have good “feelings” about it (Acts 8:26-40).
2) Some people regard their own “consciences” as the true objective spiritual standard. The conscience is that God-given faculty within each individual which urges him to act in harmony with what he believes to be right. There are no occasions in which it is right for one ever to violate his own conscience.
Paul stated, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). This means that whatever we cannot do with the conviction that it is acceptable to God, is sinful for us to do. This is the case even if the action “per se” is right. Conscience does not tell us what the truth is. One must learn the truth from God’s revelation to man. The Bible make it clear that one can live “in all good conscience” (Acts 23:1) and yet be “the chief of sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15) while so doing. Conscience is not the true objective standard.