Pass the muster

I heard a familiar phrase used a while back, actually during our past election season and I thought that it might make a good lead-in to a subject that seems to be an ever on-going problem in society.  And we know all too well how society has a way of creeping into the Church.

The phrase of which I speak is to “pass muster.”  Those of us with military experience certainly understand what “muster” is, don’t we?  The phrase “to pass muster” means to measure up to a certain standard.  It also means to be determined “adequate” or “acceptable.” 

By the way, in the 1800's, a deviation of this phrase started being used, mostly in the central and rural areas of the country.  You may be familiar with the “country version,”  that says it/they could/couldn’t “cut the mustard.”  But, it bears the same principle - that something either does or doesn’t meet a certain standard.

It’s a phrase that we hear used in a variety of ways.  Not only does it mean, as in the military context, to “pass inspection,” you hear it in the classroom sense also, as he/she either passed or failed the test.  But, when I heard it back during the election process, one of the candidates said, in relation to a current enemy of ours, that he would “carpet bomb” them out of existence.  That brought a reply from our then President to say that the candidate’s solution to the problem “doesn’t pass muster.”

Well, how to tie this phrase into a scriptural lesson today?  Here’s how I’m going to try (and hopefully succeed).  I’ll start off by telling you that “passing muster” means meeting the standard.  And, I’ll also remind you that a “standard” is something considered an authority, or a rule or principle used as a basis for judgment.  Ok then, let’s go on to the next thought.

There’s a persistent problem in religion today regarding our topic of discussion.  Some are always trying to make the Church’s standards meet up with society’s standards.  That could never happen for the simple reason that society’s standards are not standard.  They are subject to and do change all the time.  It’s really hard to unequivocally say what society’s standards are at any given time.

A good example of this is seen in the movement by some to change the Constitution of the United States to “more accurately fit” modern times.  Others say leave it alone and let it be the standard for all times to measure up to.  You can probably guess which side I’m on.

Since “muster” relates to the military, I’ll give you another example of attempts to change standards.  A Congressman, in response to some prominently reported court-martials, has recommended changing the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).  He says that, since it was written in the 1700-1800's, it should be changed to fit the behaviors of people today because their standards have changed since then.  Boy have they!

But, do you see the problem with both the Congressman’s opinion and the opinion of those wanting to “update” (read: change) the Constitution?  And this speaks directly to those wishing to “update” or change the standards of the Church. By their beliefs, what they’re saying is that the fault lies with the standards and not the other way around.  In essence, they want to change the standards to fit society’s behavior rather than society fitting the standards

And that brothers and sisters, is what crops up in the Church every now and then.  Perhaps they want to change what God says in Eph. 4:4-6 where it talks about all those “ONES.”  Why, do you realize that by sticking to that standard, it eliminates a lot of people that we live and work with because they believe otherwise?  We’ve just got to be more tolerant and accepting of other beliefs.

And this way of thinking is just like those who take exception to there only being “one way” to heaven.  We simply can’t have too “narrow” of a “way” to get there.  If we say this, here again, we’re limiting or eliminating other people who now believe that other “ways” exist to salvation. 

In a quick and simple way of addressing these “change” the standards of the Church advocates let me just make it clear that what they propose to change is The Word of God.  This is our “standard.”  John 12:48-50 teaches us a great lesson in regards to our “standards.”

In that passage you’ll note that “the word” spoken to man by Jesus Christ was His Father’s words.  That these are the words that will “save the world.”  Further, that these words are “everlasting.”  Meaning that they have no need of changing to fit any other time or occasion.  But, most importantly notice, that it is His Word that “shall judge him in the last day.”

What we need to understand most of all is that we have no authority to alter or change anything spoken by God.  There is a rule very applicable to this thought here and it’s simply this:  “It takes as much authority to change a rule as it does to make it.”  I just don’t think that I want to be the one who feels that they have the same “authority” as God.  Also read Rev. 22:18-19.

Here’s what I see as having a major effect on the Church’s standards.  Yes, the Church is societal in organization.  It’s a “family.”  It’s members are also  members of society in general. So, it’s easy to see how the thoughts and mores of society have a way of creeping into the Church, isn’t it? 

The prayer of Jesus in the 17th chapter of John provides us with oft heard principle of the Church being “in the world, but not of the world.”  Think about it for a moment.  According to Eph. 3:10-11 the mission of The Church is to bring the Gospel to the world.  We have to live in this world in order to do so, don’t we?  But, as James tells us, we have to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world.”  That quite simply means that we can’t allow the world to “blemish” or change us. And, it’s a never-ending battle.

Maybe Solomon gave us the best advice when he wrote:  

    “My son, fear thou the Lord and the King: and meddle not with them that are given to change.”  (Prov. 24:21)

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey