There is a Gold Standard!

At various times in history, many countries backed their money with gold, with an established gold standard. Various political and economic pressures have caused them all to change from this to fiat money, which gives the government more flexibility regarding the value of their currency. The "gold standard" has become a term for a perfection of sorts, the unchangeable measure against which everything else falls short and is subject to change. Is there a gold standard in our world? No mere human is a perfect standard; we all have our faults, we all sin, we all are unreliable. Nothing on earth is perfect, but there is a Standard in the heavens that we can rely upon in all regards--we have a God in the heavens, a perfect God who sent His Son to earth to live as a picture of who God is, an example and standard for us to imitate; Jesus is that picture, that example, that standard.
I remember before I came to Christ, sometimes the picture of my life was like a pool of jello. I couldn't get a foothold! There was nothing to rely on, nothing that didn't disappoint. But then I came to know Jesus Christ, and He has been in all ways reliable; my Gold Standard of reliability.

You want a standard of truth? Jesus is truth. (John 14:6; 1 John 5:20; Revelation 3:7, 19:11).
You want a standard of faithfulness? Jesus is faithful! (Hebrews 13:5-6; Isaiah 49:14; Rev. 1:5, 3:14, 19:11).
You want a standard of strength? Jesus is almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) and the power of God (1 Cor. 1:24).
You want someone who has the ultimate authority? Jesus is the King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17) and Lord of all (2 Pet. 2:20, Acts 10:36).
You want someone who can be relied upon for defense? He is our Advocate (1 John 2:1).
You want someone who can help you when you are in trouble? He is our Deliverer (Romans 11:26).
You want someone who covers it all, who has no gaps? He is the Alpha and the Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13), the Beginning and the End (Rev. 22:13); the First and the Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8).
You want someone who can cleanse you of all sin, make you able to face God the Father? Jesus is our atoning Sacrifice (1 John 2:2).
You want someone who can feed you with that which lasts, so you no longer need to search for meaning? Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48, 50, 51, 58).
You want someone who can give you a reliable place to stand, on which to build your life? Jesus is our Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6) and our firm foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).
You want someone who will guide you the right way and watch over you? Jesus is our Good and Great Shepherd (John 10:11,14; Hebrews 13:20).
You want someone who has walked on earth and endured the troubles of man, and yet is God? Jesus is Immanuel, which means God with Us (Mt 1:23); He is also the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).
You want someone who is holy, without sin, a perfect example? Jesus is holy (Acts 3:14, Revelation 3:7).
You want someone who is life, the author of life? Jesus is our life (John 14:6; Acts 3:15; Col. 3:4; 1 John 1:2; 5:20).
You want someone who can make peace between you and God? Jesus is our one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5).
You want someone who can bring you to have eternal life in heaven? Jesus is the Eternal Life (1 John 1:2, 5:20).
You want someone who can give you hope that lasts? Jesus is our hope (Colossians 1:27; 1 Timothy 1:11).
You want someone who can give you peace unlike anything you've ever known? Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
You want someone who would give His life for you, so that you might live? Jesus is the Lamb of God who died to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 13:8).
You want someone who can illuminate the dark world you're in? Jesus is the Light of the World (John 1:9, 8:12).
You want someone who can give you good and useful and perfect wisdom? Jesus is the Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24).
You want someone who can lead the way to the Father? Jesus is the Way (John 14:6).
You want someone who can give you salvation? Jesus is the Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9); therefore we call Him Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20).
You want someone who is the last word about it all? Jesus is the Amen. (Rev. 3:14).

Don't forget, He's tested, and those who know Him will testify to it. Jesus is the Gold Standard. You can trust Him entirely. People will fail you (even Christians, even those people who seem reliable)--but Jesus never fails. Hallelujah! Amen!