Good Enough or Best?

Been thinking a lot lately about standards. My own and those of people I know and those of the world. Everyone seems to have the attitude that God doesn't care as long as.....
As long as you show up for church He doesn't care what kind of church it is (I believe it should be preaching and teaching the whole word of God and correct doctrine), as long as you give an offering of some kind, as long as you obey regardless of the attitude that goes with it, as long as you are in a skirt or dress of some kind, as long as you go to church 3 times a week regardless of the attitude in which you listen to the preaching, as long as you take a turn cleaning the church building regardless of how you gripe about it while doing it, as long as you don't drink to the point of drunkenness, as long as you are not as bad as the person down the street or down the aisle at church....get the meaning?

Welp, I don't know how your Bible may read but mine has very specific and detailed commands for God's people in it. God cared and cares about the smallest details of everything. He demanded and expected perfection and still does; not just any old thing will do. He expects His commands to be followed. The story of Cain and Abel is a good example of what God wanted and expected. God had respect for Abel's offering which followed His commands. A lamb of the firstlings and the fat thereof. It says that Cain brought an offering from the field. Not the kind God demanded just an offering and more than likely not even his best of the field.

God gave very specific details about how the sacrifices should be done, about the smallest details of how the tabernacle and the temple would be built, about how the priests would handle things and how they would dress and who would be the priests. Men were killed by God for putting "strange fire" on the altar!

Numbers 18:29 - Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.

Lev. 22:21 - And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted, there shall be no blemish therein.

Not just any old offering will do. Not just showing up will do, not just any old clothing, not just half hearted attempts will do when you know to do better or more.

James 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

I have long believed that with great knowledge comes great responsibility. And God does hold someone with knowledge more accountable than someone without it.

I believe that God wants our best not our leftovers. Not just half hearted compliance but full commitment. I'm quite sure that everyone of us has been guilty of not giving 100% or our best to the Lord at times. That doesn't make it right. How often have we said to our kids, "Just because others are doing it, doesn't mean it is right"?

We should never ever judge ourselves by the best others are doing. Jesus and God are the examples and who should be setting our standards. When it is not spelled out exactly in black and white and red in the Bible by God then we must look to examples, principles, and ideas brought forth in the Bible.

Some say that the Bible doesn't say not to drink alcohol but the Bible DOES say not to be drunk. I say that you never know which swallow will tip you to that point of drunk (by the way, buzzed is drunk!). The Bible says to be clear headed.
Ephesians 5:18, Romans 13:13

Some say that it doesn't say for a woman to not wear pants. I agree. It DOES say that a woman is not to put on that which pertaineth to a man. (nor vice versa by the way) The Bible DOES say that a woman is to be modest in her appearance and that a meek and quiet spirit is to be her ornament. 1 Peter 3:1-6 Now, some say that there are women's pants and men's pants. I agree, though since the 90s and the "unisex" idea came about rampidly, there is less of a distinction. I believe it is much more difficult to achieve modesty in a pair of pants. Here's the thing, Christians are to be different than the world. We have been sanctified (or set apart) so why not look it? Do I think a woman can be a Godly woman in pants? Sure. Do I think all woman who wear only modest dresses and skirts are always Godly? Absolutely not! But, I want people to know right away that I am different. Many, many times I have been in a public place and had someone ask me where I go to church. Due to my appearance they are convinced I am a Christian and that is why I look the way I do. I have asked them why they assume I go to church and that is ALWAYS the reply! Unfortunately, I have not always had my words and actions display the same thing as my outward appearance. I sometimes do fleshly things. Those are things I must and do confess to God. I was a huge tomboy growing up and despised skirts. Not til the second year of my husband's ministry did I make changes in my dress. I like wearing skirts because they remind me to keep myself in check and be more lady like. I believe whole heartedly that if I can't do it in a skirt - or at the very least in Culottes, then I don't need to be doing it. No more excuses. I don't really wear Culottes much anymore. Only on uuggh days or cleaning days and I only rarely wear them out in public. As I type this post, I am convicted further about my church clothes on Wednesday nights. I often wear a denim skirt and sometimes a sweatshirt. That certainly is not my best. It is what is comfortable for me at the time. I don't have a problem with denim skirts (tho some do) but throwing on a sweatshirt to be comfortable instead of a nice top is being complacent and not giving God the honor He deserves. I know, that I am the temple of the Holy Spirit if I am saved but we go to church to worship, to praise, to learn more about God and His Word and what He wants and expects. ...To grow in maturity as a Christian. I wouldn't throw on old clothes to go meet someone who I idolized on this earth.
I think it is funny how so many get new Easter dresses and come to church all fancied up on that day when it more than likely is not to reverence God, it is to show off to others their new duds.  Just saying. On Easter and Christmas the whole church will be fancied up as though God only deserves that on those two days.

Mostly, it is a heart issue. It is, why do I come to church? Is it just because you are supposed to? Do you want to grow and learn and become a better Christian? It is, why do I not want to dress up for church? You figure that God doesn't care. That He accepts you any old way. Hmm, re-read your Bible and see His explicit attention to details in every aspect. Why do I want to wear jeans? Why do I want to wear a mini skirt or a low cut top or tight jeans? You ladies know why you want to! Deep down you know! You want to draw attention to yourself. (the same goes for men who wear tight jeans and shirts that show off body build) Attention that is why. Well, you are a stumbling block to others when you do that. You may cause someone to lust. Someone other than your own husband or wife. Why do you not get more involved and help at church? Is it because you look around and think I already do more than so and so? Even though the Lord is burdening you in a particular area about serving in some way.

So, should we have the attitude of "good enough" or should we be giving our best? By the way, just because something isn't spelled out as a sin in the Bible doesn't mean it is good or right for us.

1 Corinthians 10:23 - All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Hebrews 12:1 - 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,

Not all things are expedient (suitable for achieving a particular end). Not all things edify (to instruct and improve in moral and religious knowledge).

Some things are weights to us. They may not be sinful but if they keep us from better serving God, from prayer life, from family life (which God ordained), from Bible reading, from telling other about Jesus then they are weights that keep us from running our race to the best of our ability.

I think good enough or best can be summed up in the verse ...
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Prove what is good and acceptable and prefect. Don't give God the left overs, or good enough. Give Him the best!
Jesus gave His best! He gave His life on the cross to keep us from the torture of hell!
God knows that we will never be perfect on this earth. That is why Jesus came. But God does expect us to strive for it. He says Be ye holy for I am holy. He also says Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God,...1 Peter 1:16 and 1 Kings 8:61.