GOD’S PLUMBLINE

Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more (Amos 7:7-8).

Webster’s dictionary defines the plumbline as; “a lead weight hung at the end of a line to determine whether a wall is vertical or straight, instrument used to test if something is vertical or straight; instrument used to determine if lines are true.”

When God showed this vision to Amos, He was giving him a message to deliver to Israel. The message was “I have set a standard before you to follow, and you are going to be judged by this standard.”

In his commentary, Adam Clarke had this to say about the plumbline seen by Amos; “This appears to be an emblem of strict justice and indicates God is going to now visit them according to their iniquities.”

God goes on to tell Amos that Israel is about to be destroyed because they did not adhere to the standard He had set. On another occasion God again informs Israel, “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet” (Isaiah 28:17).

Jeremiah knew that God had set a standard or “plumbed the line” before the people, and that is why his concern is so clear as he penned the following words; “Stand ye in the ways, and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). But what was the response of the people? They said, “We will not walk therein.”

Even our Lord knew that man would not walk by the “plumbed” way. He told us there were two ways. One wide and broad that leads to destruction, the other strait and narrow that leads to life eternal. Many would go in by the broad way, but only a few would enter that strait and narrow way (Matthew 7:13,14).

In everything we do we must look for God’s “plumbline,” because it is by this measurement or standard that we will be judged. Let’s look now at what God has put His “plumbline” against to set the standard for us.

God has set His “plumbline” against our SALVATION. God and Christ want all men to be saved, they are not willing that any should perish. For this reason, God has given a standard which we must follow if we expect to be saved. We must hear the true word of God, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). We must believe the word and in Jesus, God’s Son, because it is impossible to please God without belief (Hebrews 11:6). We must repent of our sins, because without repentance there can be no forgiveness (Luke 13:3). We must confess Christ, because if we confess Him before men, He will confess us before the Father (Matt. 10:32). And we must be baptized for the remission of our sins, because it is in baptism that we contact the cleansing blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5).

This is God’s standard for obedience to the Gospel. Anything else, taught by anyone else, anywhere else, at any other time is not true if it does not “plumb” according to God’s Word. We must be sure that what we do for salvation must not deviate from God’s straight line or else we will be lost.

God has placed His “plumbline” against our LIFE. Once we have obeyed the Gospel and become one of His children, God expects us to walk by His rule—His standard. He does not leave His rules to guess, but has laid them out for us in a straight for-ward way.

1. We are to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteously and godly (Titus 2:12).
2. We are to abstain from every form of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).
3. We are to be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58).
4. We are to avoid the works of the flesh, and seek the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:19-23).
5. We are to study to show ourselves approved of God, so that we might grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (II Timothy 2:15; I Peter 2:2).
6. We are to add to our life the Christian Graces (II Peter 1:5-10).
7. We are to be an example to those around us (I Timothy 4:12-16). If we live by these and other rules and standards found in God’s Word, we can look for Him to say on that day of judgment “Well done thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

God has placed His “plumbline” against our WORSHIP. God expects us, as His people, to worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” Worship must be done decently and in the order (I Corinthians 14:40) as God dictates; and, it must be for His glory. God's standard for our worship includes the following:

1. Preaching and teaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified (Acts 20:7).
2. Congregational singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
3. Publicly offering up prayers (Acts 2:42).
4. Remembering the Lord’s death by the partak-ing (on each first day of the week) of the Lord’s supper (I Corinthians 11:23-29; I Corinthians 16:1).
5. Giving of our means as we have purposed in our hearts, with the right attitude (I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:7).

This is God’s prescribed way to worship, and He holds His “plumbline” against what we do and call worship. Anything left out is not pleasing to Him, and any-thing added is not pleasing to Him.

God has placed His “plumbline” against FALSE TEACHERS. God wants the Gospel preached to the whole world. It is this Gospel that is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe (Romans 1:16). Those who do not follow the standard in their preaching and teaching will have to face the wrath of God. Galatians 1:6-9 says that if we preach any other gospel than that which was once and for all delivered by the Lord, we will be accursed. 2 John 9-11 informs us as a people that if any one preaches or teaches any thing other than what was delivered by Christ, we are to reject them. Then II Peter 2:1 tells us that false teachers who bring in their “damnable heresies” shall be destroyed.

God and Christ knew that men would depart from sound doctrine, and would gather to themselves men who would preach to please the ear (II Timothy 4:3-4), and for that reason the “plumbline” was set against what must be preached, and we can not deviate from it. God’s word is complete, it is perfect, it is simple, and it is universal in that it applies to all men.

God has placed His “plumbline” against our WORKS. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” A Christian must be an active working servant in the Lord’s king-dom. Just as the physical body has many working parts, so does the spiritual body. And, for the body/church of our Lord to be in “good health,” every member must be a working part of it.

When God put His “plumbline” against our works, He looks to see if we have taken every opportunity to do good (Galatians 6:10). He looks to see if we are doing those works for His glory, or are we doing them to be praised of men (Matthew 5:16). He looks to see if we are following “that which is good to all men” (I Thessalonians 5:15). We must remember that on the day of Judgment we will give an account of all that we have done on this earth whether it be good or evil. God’s standard is for us to do good to all.

God told Amos “I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people.” Brethren we must believe that He has. Everything we do must be in accordance with God's standard or else it is sin.

Now let me ask you, if God was to hold His “plumbline” up beside you right now, as a congrega-tion or as an individual, would you be straight and true or would you be “off plumb?”

Danny L. Box

Salvation by Faith and Honest Searchers of Scripture

We should all be searchers of the Scriptures helping each other come to an understanding of the truth, which is the Word of God (John 17:17). I believe that there is much for me to learn from God’s Word, but I also believe that I can know the truth and can know that I am saved (1 John 5:13). I also know that there are many false teachers in the world and sometimes in the church (2 Peter 2:1-2; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-30). There are some who wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 5:16). We are warned, therefore, to try the spirits whether they are of God (1 John 4:1). The majority is not necessarily the right standard (see Matthew 7:13-14); following the traditions of men including the majority is what Isaiah and Jesus had in mind when they described people’s reception (or lack of it) of God’s Word: “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:15; see Isaiah 6 10). The right standard, the standard by which we will all be judged, is the inspired Word (John 12:48).

I believe that we are “justified by faith” (Romans5:1)—that is what the text says. But what kind of faith saves? Paul begins and ends this letter to the Romans by defining the faith that saves (justifies). In Romans 1:5 he refers to the “obedience to the faith” and in Romans 16:26 he concludes with “the obedience to the faith.” The kind of faith that justifies is the kind of faith that obeys. Abraham’s faith, since he is the “father of the faithful,” is a prime illustration of this. See James 2:21-24. By the way, the only verse in the entire New Testament that says anything about faith alone as it relates to salvation is in James 2. It reads: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (verse 24).Even the demons believe (James 2:19), but surely they are not saved. Notice please that Romans 5:1 does not say that one is justified by “faith ONLY,” I believe that would be adding to the Scriptures, don’t you?

Consider Acts 11:12-18. Look at verse 14. Cornelius was told to send for Peter, a preacher, “who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and thy house shall be saved.”  Some of those words Peter told them “whereby thou and thy house shall be saved” included that which is here referenced: “And he (Peter) commanded them (Cornelius and his household) to be baptized” (Acts 10:48). [this is water baptism (see also Acts 8:36); Holy Spirit baptism is nowhere commanded in the Scriptures] While we are here, let me emphasize that the book of Acts records cases of conversion in the first century. Look at these records carefully. Baptism is the only act of obedience that is specifically mentioned in every single case of conversion recorded…not hearing the Gospel, not faith, not repentance, not confessing faith. The rest are surely implied in each case, but baptism is specifically mentioned and yet it the one that many object to. If baptism is a work, it is a work of God (not a meritorious human work) for He authorized it, but so is even faith (John 6:29). God’s plan for the salvation of man involves the preaching and teaching of the Gospel, God’s Word, and not some direct operation on the human heart. If the later were the case God would be a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).

Consider Mark 16:16 (some question the authenticity of this verse, but I have considered the evidence and believe it to be part of the inspired text). The text reads: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Jesus did not say “He that believeth shall be saved and be baptized if he decides he wants to or to demonstrate that he is saved.” The conjunction “and “ties the two things together. You cannot meet half of the requirements and meet the requirements. Both are necessary. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Then consider the last part: “he that believeth not shall be damned.” Some suggest that nothing is said about the one not baptized. Such is not necessary. This is statement of Jesus is parallel to this sentence: “He that eateth and digesteth his food shall live; but he that eateth not shall die.” In this case it should be obvious that if one refuses to eat then digestion would not occur and therefore the person would die. The same is true in the statement of Jesus which is parallel.

But also consider: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Man is lost because of his sins. Unless and until those sins are forgiven, he will remain lost. To receive the remission of sins (this phrase “unto the remission of sins” is exactly parallel to “unto to the remission of sins” in Matthew 26:28 if you need help in determining the meaning here) one must “repent and be baptized.” Note the conjunction and again. Both repentance and baptism are required—not just one, but both. In Acts 22:16, Saul is told to be baptized to “wash away” his sins. Not here or anywhere else in the Scriptures is it taught that baptism is an outward act signifying sins already remitted, or forgiven.

Hence, completely in agreement with all of these Scriptures (and more which could be cited); “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21).

“Study to show thyself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). Be like the Bereans and search the Scriptures to see whether these things are true (Acts 17:11).

“Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). I pray that the Lord will open your heart through His Word.

Lester Kamp

Looking Unto Jesus

Paul warns against self-commendation. He states that those who are caught up in this practice are those who measure themselves by themselves, and who compare themselves among themselves: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (II Corinthians 10:12).

Men who commend themselves, having nothing but themselves with which to measure themselves, can only end by boasting immeasurably…They who so measure themselves are foolish. Wisdom tests all things by the will of God. The only wise way is to lose confidence in self, and earnestly seek the standard God has given (David Lipscomb).

True wisdom is to walk humbly by the “rule” standard) of God—His Word. We are all to walk by the same rule” (Philippians 3:16), and not simply to be concerned with being better than others, no worse than others. The Son of God is the One to Whom we are to look for guidance, strength, and salvation.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

We are not to measure ourselves according to people’s standards, not even that of members of the church. Our goal should be to do that which is right in the Lord’s eyes and not men. To compare ourselves with others is a trap and Satan will destroy us in it. Rather, let us resist him and submit to God (James 4:7-8). By so doing, we will be like Jesus and strive to: “do always those things that please him,” our heavenly Father (John 8:29b). We are to obey the Word of Jesus Christ our Example and High Priest (Romans 1:16; John 14:15; I Peter 2:21; Hebrews 3:1; 4:14). This is the only way we can follow Him. The New Testament, the doctrine of Christ, is to be our pattern (II John 9; II Timothy 1:13; Matthew 26:28). Some of the Corinthians were in danger of being “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (cf. II Corinthians 11:1-3), in that their loyalties to Him were being divided. Let us have the “simplicity” in Christ Jesus by being devoted to Him. Let Jesus be our standard—not men!

Danny Douglas 

Lowering the Bar

When I was young I played a game with my brothers and sisters and other neighborhood kids that required the participants to jump over sticks held at various heights. These sticks would be raised with each round of the game and if you did not successfully “clear” the stick by jumping over it you’d be humiliated, muddy-kneed, and eliminated from the game. Sometimes in an attempt to “look out” for my younger siblings I would “lower the bar” for those which were younger and less athletic than the older kids. This allowed them “to think” they were included and accepted. I suppose this is a natural human instinct which is evidenced in our schools when grading is done on the curve and no kid is left behind. It is far easier to lower the bar than have one suffer the shame of not being passed with his classmates. 

Surely this must be a human action since God did not “lower the bar” for Cain in regard to his sacrifice (Genesis 4:4-5). God did not “lower the bar” for Noah in that the requirements for the Ark had to be met for Noah to survive the flood. God did not “lower the bar” for the other inhabitants of the earth in Noah’s day in that those that did not get on the Ark perished (Genesis7:23). In Moses day, in the wilderness when serpents were sent to bite the people, the bar was not lowered in that all who failed to look upon the fiery serpent provided by Moses as directed by God, died (Numbers 21:8-9). 

We could follow the history of man and mankind’s dealing with God and we will find that God never lowers the bar. Israel “lowered the bar” when it desired a king so they could be like the nations around them (1 Samuel 8:4-7). They continued to not only “lower the bar” but tore it down when the prophetJeremiah pleaded with them to return to God’s ways and be faithful in Jeremiah 6:16 and when they responded: “We will not walk therein.”

We see in the scriptures that God does not “lower the bar”, so does it not stand to reason that if we try to seek redemption in any other way than that which God has prescribed that we will fail to be victorious and will not receive that which He has prepared for the faithful? If “we” attempt to “lower the bar” to make others feel included and accepted, we attempt to circumvent God’s plan for redemption, and we too will be lost for eternity. 

Sadly, “lowering the bar” is evident in many congregations of the Lord’s church today. We see it in congregations when they no longer carefully consider the “thus sayeth The Lord” in everything but take the “pulse” of the congregation and allow that to be the basis for their decisions. 

Let us be careful not to “lower the bar” when it comes to our service to God, but rather seek to know what God wants us to do according to His Word and faithfully do it to the best of our ability while here of earth. Don’t be deceived. The bar may be lowered here on earth to accommodate more folks, but at the judgment, ”the bar” has been set by God and WILL NOT BE LOWERED. (John 12:48)

Dennis Strickland

“A Bed Too Short; A Blanket Too Narrow”

Years ago when I was a student at Freed-Hardeman College, we had this prank that we would try to pull on each other. This prank was called “short-sheeting” and what we would do is catch one of our roommates out and while he was gone we would take the covers from his bed and rearrange them so that he would be unable to get into the bed on his return; and, if he did get in the bed, he would be unable to pull his covers up more than half way.    

On one occasion this prank was pulled on me. I was tired and got in from a chorus trip about 2:00 a.m. and tried to get in my bed but was met with resistance about half way down. But to keep from giving my roommates the satisfaction of my getting up and remaking my bed, I determined to sleep in it the way it was. I can assure you that this made for a most miserable night and put me in a physically uncomfortable situation. You see, I was in a bed that was too short, and my blanket was too narrow to cover me.    But, just as I found myself in this condition due to a prank, Israel, the chosen people of God, found themselves in a similar condition due to sin. Isaiah, God’s prophet described it this way in Isaiah 28:20, “For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it; and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” Their spiritual condition was deplorable, and God was not pleased with it. Looking at this chapter, we see in the first four verses where the prophet described the terrible condition of the Northern tribes of Israel, describing them as a “wilting flower” compared to their former glory, and because they were morally indecent, they were ripe for destruction. Then in verses 7-15 the prophet tells the Southern tribes that they were no better off spiritually, being a mirror image of their sister in the North. As he tried to warn them, the prophet was ridiculed, and his message from God was ignored; and, because they continued on this course, they were “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow,” and were going to be destroyed.    

Now my question to everyone today is: How many times do we find ourselves in a bed too short with a cover too narrow? If we stop and examine our lives, we will see that it may be  more than we expect. Look with me now at some times we are “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.”    

Anyone whose pride will not allow him to repent of known sins is “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.” One of the first messages we find preached in the New Testament is the message of repentance. John preached this message in the area around Jordan, and our Lord preached along the shores of Galilee. To repent simply means to change, a change of heart that leads to a change of action in our lives. The Lord told us the importance of repentance when He said, “I tell ye nay, but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Brethren and friends, this does not cut us any slack. If we are guilty of sin, we must repent of those sins; and, if we don’t, we will perish in the second death. But so many times we might transgress God’s law, and feel that because it is not some big immoral sin that we don’t have to repent of it, but, if it is a known sin, if we don’t repent we will find ourselves in an inadequate and uncomfortable position at the Judgment. To be saved we must repent of those sins in our lives that have separated us from God.    

Anyone who wants an immoral lifestyle while trying to hang on to a semblance of Christianity is “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.” Galatians 5:19-21 gives us a list of the works of the flesh. That list includes adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, reveling and such like, and we are told that they who do such things “shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” So many times we see members of the Lord’s body who want to keep one foot in the world and one foot in the church. They have forgotten what John taught in I John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the tings that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” When we are baptized into Christ, we are to rise up and begin a new life in Christ. We are to put off the ways of the world and walk in the light, and it is only by walking in the light that we can be assured of that heavenly home. Brethren, anyone who wants to be like the world in dress, entertainment, speech, actions, indulgences, and such while wanting to be known as a Christian, is that person who is “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.”    

Anyone who refuses to serve God with a spirit of humble submission is “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.” There is a song that we often sing that goes like this, “To the work, to the work, we are servants of God.” As this song describes, we are exactly that – servants of the Most High God. A servant is defined as “one who serves; one who obeys, ministers, assists.” That perfectly describes what we as Christians should be willing to be. Romans 12:1 tells us that we are to present ourselves to God because that is our reasonable service, or in other words, that is what is expected of us. We are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. Have you thought about the message we will hear at Judgment if we have been found faithful? “Well done my good and faithful servant” is what I am hoping to hear, but to do this I must be His servant here on this earth first. When we get to wanting to be in charge, and make decisions that supersede God’s and no longer want to humbly submit to His Will, His Word, and His Ways, then we are “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.”    

Anyone who has a standard for his religion other than the standard God has given is “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.” God has given us a standard to go by in religion; He just did not leave it to happenstance. This standard governs what we must do to be saved (hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized). This standard governs what we must do to stay saved (live faithfully, godly, righteous, sober lives). This standard governs what we must do to worship (a cappella singing, preaching/teaching the Truth, prayers, giving and partaking of the Lord’s Supper). This standard governs the mission of the church (teaching the lost, building up the brethren spiritually, and helping those in need). And this standard tells us how long we are do all of these things (till death, or until the Lord’s return). God told us not to add or take away from His standard, and if we try to, we will find ourselves “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.”    

Finally, anyone who is unprepared to face God right now, is “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.” We are assured in Hebrews 9:27 that we are all going to die, and death we will all stand before God and Christ to be judged. There is nothing we can do to change this, and there is no way we can avoid this. At Judgment we will receive the reward for what we have done while here on earth, whether good or evil. There is only one way we can keep from being in a terrible, inadequate position at Judgment. That way is to prepare for it right now. If you have not obeyed the Gospel plan of salvation and are not living a faithful, dedicated life for the Lord, then you are making no plans for the Judgment, and you are “in a bed too short, with a blanket too narrow.”    Please examine yourself, and determine if you are in that terrible condition; and, if you are, please listen to the Word and get up and “straighten up the covers” before it is eternally too late!    

Danny Box

God's Plumbline

“Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, whatseest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more” (Amos 7:7-8).

Webster’s dictionary defines the plumbline as: “A lead weight hung at the end of a line to determine whether a wall is vertical or straight; instrument used to test if something is vertical or straight; instrument used to determine if lines are true.”

In his commentary, Adam Clarke has this to say about the plumbline seen by Amos: “This appears to be an emblem ofstrict justice and indicates God is going to now visit them according to their iniquities.” God goes on to tell Amos that Israel is about to be destroyed because they did not adhere to the standard He had set. On another occasion, God again informs Israel: “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet” (Isaiah 28:17).

Jeremiah knew that God had set a standard or “plumbed the line” before the people, and that is why his concern is so clear as he penned the following words: “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). But what was the response of the people: “We will not walk therein.”

Even our Lord knew that man would not walk by the “plumbed” way. He told us that there were two ways. One wide and broad that led to destruction, the other strait and narrow that led to life eternal. Many would go in by one way but only a few would enter that strait and narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14). In everything we do we must look for God’s “plumbline,” because it is by this measurement or standard that we will be judged. Let’s look now at what God has put His “plumbline” against to set the standard for us.

God has set His “plumbline” against our salvation. God and Christ want all men to be saved, they are not willing that any should perish. For this reason, God has given us a standard which we must follow if we expect to be saved. (1) We must hear the true Word of God, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). (2) We must believe the Word, because it is impossible to please God without belief (Hebrews 11:6). (3) We must repent of our sins, because without repentance there can be no forgiveness (Luke 13:3). (4) We must confess Christ, because if we confess Him before men, He will confess us before the Father (Matthew 10:32). (5) And we must be baptized for the remission of our sins, because it is in baptism that we contact the cleansing blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16). This is God’s standard for obedience to the gospel. Anything else, taught by anyone else, anywhere else, at any other time is not true if it does not “plumb” according to God’s Word. We must be sure that what we do for salvation must not deviate from God’s straight line or else we will be lost.

God has placed His “plumbline” against our life. Once we have obeyed the gospel, and become one of His children, God expects us to walk by His rule or standard. He does not leave His rules to guess, but has laid them out for us in a straightforward way. (1) We are to deny ungodliness and worldly lust, and live soberly, righteously and godly (Titus 2:12). (2) We are to abstain from every form of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22). (3) We are to be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). (4) We are to avoid the works of the flesh, and seek the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:19-23). (5) We are to study to show ourselves approved of God, that we might grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (II Timothy 2:15; I Peter 2:2). (6) We are to add to our life the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-10). (7) We are to be an example to those around us (I Timothy 4:12-16). If we live by these and the other rules and standards found in God’s Word, then we can look for Him to say on that day of judgment: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21-23).

God has placed His “plumbline” against our worship. God expects us as His people to worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” That worship must be done decently and in the order that God dictates, and it must be for His glory. God’s standard for our worship includes the following: (1) Preaching and teaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified (Acts 20:7). (2) Congregational singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). (3) Publicly offering up prayers (Acts 2:42). (4) Remembering the Lord’s death by the partaking on each First Day of the Week of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-29; 16:1). (5) Giving of our means as we have purposed in our hearts and with the right attitude (I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9:7). This is God’s prescribed way to worship, and He holds His “plumbline” against what we do and call worship. Anything left out is not pleasing to Him, and anything added is not pleasing to Him.

God has placed His “plumbline” against false teachers. God wants the gospel preached to the whole world. It is this gospel that is the power of God unto salvation to all that believe (Romans 1:16). Those who do not follow the standard in their preaching and teaching will have to face the wrath of God. Galatians 1:6-9 lets us know that if we preach any other gospel than that which was once and for all delivered by the Lord, we will be accursed. Second John 9- 11 informs us as a people that if anyone preaches or teaches anything other than what was delivered by Christ we are to reject them.

Then II Peter 2:1 lets us know that false teachers that bring in their “damnable heresies” shall be destroyed. God and Christ knew that men would depart from sound doctrine, and would gather to themselves men that would preach to please the ear, and for that reason the “plumbline” was set against what must be preached, and we cannot deviate from it. God’s Word is complete, it is perfect, it is simple, and it is universal in that applies to all men.

God has placed His “plumbline” against our works. Matthew 5:16 goes like this: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” From this verse and many others we see that a Christian must be an active working servant in the Lord’s kingdom. Just as the physical body has many working parts, so does the spiritual body, and for the body of our Lord to be in “good health” each member must be a working part. When God puts His “plumbline” against our works, He looks to see if we have taken every opportunity to do good (Galatians 6:10); He looks to see if we are doing those works for His glory, or are we doing them to be praised of men (Matthew 5:16). He looks to see if we are following “that which is good” to all men (I Thessalonians 5:15).

We must remember that on the day of Judgment we will give an account of all that we have done on this earth whether it be good or evil, and God’s standard is for us to do good to all.

In conclusion, God told Amos: “I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people,” and brethren we must believe that He has. Everything we do must be in accordance with God’s standard or else it is sin. Now let me ask you, if God was to hold His “plumbline” up beside you right now, as a congregation, or as an individual, would you then be straight and true, or would you be “off plumb”?