I did not say that being decent was legalism--go back and read what I did say. Decency is the issue--not trying to dictate styles or fashion. The references in Scripture to jewelry, and the braiding of the hair--and there are none to make up-- are speaking of concentrating on these, and neglecting the inner beauty. These enhancements , when worn with decency and modesty, along with inner beauty are just that --enhancements to the femininity that make a woman a woman. If you or your church begin going beyond the issue of decency, then it is being legalistic. George Washington was a great man of God--who happened to wear a powdered wig, which in his time period, was considered very masculine. Today--well--not me. Every picture of Christ depicts Him with long hair--accepted during His day--nothing feminine about it. What distinguishes us as believers is our behaviour, our love and compassion for others and among the brethren especially, not the requirement of wearing a 3 piece suit. Btw, business men wear them , and many are greedy , dishonest cusses--but,if you were to see a pastor, along side one--what would be there to distinguish them? I guess they'll have to all go to collars-and we will too--or dress like the Amish. We certainly can't go hunting in camo--those guys have a reputation for all kinds of evil--we can't look like them and be holy!Man looks on the outside--God looks on the heart. If our dress is decent and not lewd or revealing--then that's all there is to it.If your light is as evident as it should be, by your maintaining an ongoing realtionship, reflecting the grace lavished on us by Christ, your fashion statement or lack thereof won't even be noticed--men will be drawn to Christ, not a certain required form of dress. And why let this requirement become an issue to keep someone away? It has and it does.
But the way we dress very much states who we are and who we belong to.
if a guys wears a suit to work everyday, is he supposed to have a even nicer suit that he only wears to church?
if he wore the same suit to church that he wore to work every day, I don't see a difference than a construction worker wearing blue jeans and a sweat shirt. just a thought.
I have noticed that today, the general public "judges" people by the way they dress. From what I gather from talking to people they feel, if you wear a suit you must be important and have a lot of money. I had a college roomate that had to wear a suit to work to sit there and make 100 phone calls a day trying to sell printers/copiers. he didn't have a "important" job and it certainly didn't mean he had money. I also know people that are millionares that wear blue jeans and t-shirts all the time. I wish people wouldn't have these types of misconseptions.
Pretty much all good advice given here. If itwere me, I would follow The Rev's advice to a 'T'. Not much I would not do for my pastor, but if I thought he were misusing his leadership, glorying in my submission to him, I would definately confront (politely), and pray.
My feelings also brother!
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
I cannot believe that God cares what we wear when we sit in church (or in the case of catholics sit, kneel, stand, kneel, sit, stand etc..).
I disagree, the NT decrees modesty and lack of jewelry, or even foo fooing up your hair. Thats not to say that the unredeemed sinner should be turned away for their ignorance of decorum. But the way we dress very much states who we are and who we belong to.
Tell me who you hang around with, andI'll tell you who you are!!
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
I'm just a little bit confused. Did somebody say that men need to wear suits to be identified as christian or modest? I'm sure I didn't, nor did Mac. Especially not Mac, since he doesn't own a suit!
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"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
I'm just a little bit confused. Did somebody say that men need to wear suits to be identified as christian or modest? I'm sure I didn't, nor did Mac. Especially not Mac, since he doesn't own a suit!
Well Sis lizzie, I quess a man has to wear his best! If he does'nt have a suit, he'll wear his best. I don't wear a suit to Church either! Asmatter of fact, I have been to Church in over-alls before!
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
"The way everybody talks here they would send her to hell for a dress,I could not turn her away and in my opinion I would not be at a church that did or be with people that think so hi of them self that they would turn someone away that came to be feed the word of GOD"
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My sentiments exactly Renfrowridge..I have seen them get saved in a three piece suit, in overalls,mini skirts andshorts..like the old saying goes, you catch them and God will clean them..most all that i have seen get savedhave learned to dress modessly in a short time..I sure would hate to be the one that caused someone to go to hell because of the way they dressed..
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wayne
"There's room at the cross for you."
"I quess it's alright with you folks that like to see a young girl bend over and see her cheeks or a see thrublouse's and braless T-Shirt's?
Would you consider it judging, to bring it to thier attention"?
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
Rebel,
I've never seen nothing like that at church. I do think judging someone for wearing a wedding band or short sleeves is pretty extreme. However; no one forces anyone to go to them churches so I guess to each his own. I reckon if someone is convicted of these manners he or she should follow those convictions .I have my own convictions that I'm sure are legalistic to some but are very real to me. I do beleive most convictions should be as unto the Lord and not made a church doctrine. I know in my sister's church it is pretty much church doctrine to let your hair grow and no jewlry whatsoever. She is Church of God. I live by an apostolic church .The minister told me no one in his congregation has a TV. I said Praise God and I mean it. I almost visited that church. I do respect al of the different views here and have learned alot.
Chuck
RE: Christian Living or Tradition Living
Tell me who you hang around with, andI'll tell you who you are!!
