Questionable motivation
Last Friday we continued our discussion about modesty, trying to narrow it down a bit. One way of narrowing it down is to think: how would we teach a daughter (or son) about the topic. In putting our convictions into words for others, we are forced to think things through and helped in testing our standards by God's Word.
As we continue our second week of no meetings, especially as summer weather and fashion settles in, let's be seeking the Lord in his Word about Bible principles which should guide the christian's choices in clothing....as well as nearly any other choices.
The Good Ol' Days
But before we we get into the motivation which should guide our clothing choices....
A really good question was raised Friday. Since we are told in scripture that the times will wax worse and worse, evil will increase... for example, 2 Timothy 3:1-4 we read:
....since we know the times will wax worse, how do we know how far back in history to look if we want to see what modest dress is?
The 50's?
The 40's?
Bible times?
Even if we go as far back as Bible times, in the pages of the Bible, we see evidence that immodest dress has always been with us. From the time that Adam and Eve realized they were naked, to the way Judah recognized Tamar as a prostitute, to the warnings to the son in Proverbs, whose father told him the story of a young man "devoid of understanding",
(Later on, we will discuss the example of our Lord in how to treat harlots.)
If we try to tie our definition of godly dress (or literature or music) to a certain time in human history, we fail to realize that ever since man fell into sin, human history has been affected. The good ol' days were really before Adam and Eve sinned! If we try to pick our favorite era and hold to such an era as a benchmark, we will be less likely to grow in discernment.
How much better God has equipped us through the Holy Spirit.
Remember the warnings we talked about in Colossians 2 and the prescription given in Colossians 3? God has given us a remedy, a prescription for fashion and every other area requiring discernment. It is seeking those things which are above! It is the knowledge of the Lord. And its wrapped up in love!
Love in focus
The Bible really speaks tons about the issue clothing choices, but often not in places which specifically mention fashion, dress or modesty. While we may tend to isolate the issue as one of "fashion," the reality is that God's Word gives us guidance for choices in every area of our lives. There is really nothing special about clothing choices in particular.
2 Peter 1:2- 9
This is really neat if you think about it, because just like in Colossians, and I guess also in first Corinthians, LOVE (charity) is always prominent. This is really really foundational to this discussion about clothing choices, because if you look at nearly any advertisement, fashion or otherwise, the emphasis is pleasing self... whether for my comfort, for my impressing others, or for drawing attention to me.
As we just saw above (Colossians 3:14), love is to steer our hearts at all times. But wordly motivation is simply not love....
Though the world would seek to motivate us to make choices out of selfish, prideful thoughts, if we instead purpose to seek to follow the Lord, it will always drive that out selfishness and pride, because they can't abide with God's love!
On being weird
Two Sundays ago at Emmaus, we had a very timely message from Romans 12:1,2. It was also full of relevant fashion advice.
Here are some notes Hannah took down for me....
So, we are to be different from the world, from the inside out. Not conformed to it.
This does not mean we make choices based on booklists or hemlines lengths, but by meditating on and obeying God's Word.
Am I, in my choices, wholly given over to the Lord, offering my body a living sacrifice?
Am I directing my children to please themselves or the Lord in the choices they make?
Am I conforming to the pattern of this world by the why's and how's of my choices?
Do I choose to please myself, the world, or the Lord?
If the Lord wanted me to forgive those who trespass against me, even 7 x 77 times, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to take no thought for tomorrow, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to obey the laws of the land, even if I could break the rules without earthly consequences, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to testify to his saving grace before mockers, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to wear an orange highway cone on my head, would I?
It's weird to forgive enemies. "You're letting them walk all over you!"
It's weird to testify for the Lord. "You're judging me!"
It's weird to not worry about retirement. "You have to have common sense!"
So, as we consider and meditate on Romans 12:1, 2, let's expect our minds to be transformed, let's expect there to be a transformation in our lives and all the choices we make. Let's purpose to grow closer to him and the knowledge of his will as we offer our bodies a living sacrifice each day! And let's realize that this will necessitate our becoming increasingly "weird" in the eyes of the world. We should not be afraid of being weird, of standing out, as long as it's for the right reason.
Here are more verses to guide our motivation in the choices we make.
As we continue our second week of no meetings, especially as summer weather and fashion settles in, let's be seeking the Lord in his Word about Bible principles which should guide the christian's choices in clothing....as well as nearly any other choices.
The Good Ol' Days
But before we we get into the motivation which should guide our clothing choices....
A really good question was raised Friday. Since we are told in scripture that the times will wax worse and worse, evil will increase... for example, 2 Timothy 3:1-4 we read:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
....since we know the times will wax worse, how do we know how far back in history to look if we want to see what modest dress is?
The 50's?
The 40's?
Bible times?
Even if we go as far back as Bible times, in the pages of the Bible, we see evidence that immodest dress has always been with us. From the time that Adam and Eve realized they were naked, to the way Judah recognized Tamar as a prostitute, to the warnings to the son in Proverbs, whose father told him the story of a young man "devoid of understanding",
"And, behold, there met him a woman
with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart."
Proverbs 7:10
with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart."
Proverbs 7:10
(Later on, we will discuss the example of our Lord in how to treat harlots.)
If we try to tie our definition of godly dress (or literature or music) to a certain time in human history, we fail to realize that ever since man fell into sin, human history has been affected. The good ol' days were really before Adam and Eve sinned! If we try to pick our favorite era and hold to such an era as a benchmark, we will be less likely to grow in discernment.
How much better God has equipped us through the Holy Spirit.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2 Peter 1:3
2 Peter 1:3
Remember the warnings we talked about in Colossians 2 and the prescription given in Colossians 3? God has given us a remedy, a prescription for fashion and every other area requiring discernment. It is seeking those things which are above! It is the knowledge of the Lord. And its wrapped up in love!
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,
if any man have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:12 -14
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,
if any man have a quarrel against any:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3:12 -14
Love in focus
The Bible really speaks tons about the issue clothing choices, but often not in places which specifically mention fashion, dress or modesty. While we may tend to isolate the issue as one of "fashion," the reality is that God's Word gives us guidance for choices in every area of our lives. There is really nothing special about clothing choices in particular.
2 Peter 1:2- 9
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
This is really neat if you think about it, because just like in Colossians, and I guess also in first Corinthians, LOVE (charity) is always prominent. This is really really foundational to this discussion about clothing choices, because if you look at nearly any advertisement, fashion or otherwise, the emphasis is pleasing self... whether for my comfort, for my impressing others, or for drawing attention to me.
As we just saw above (Colossians 3:14), love is to steer our hearts at all times. But wordly motivation is simply not love....
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
from 1 Corinthians 13
Though the world would seek to motivate us to make choices out of selfish, prideful thoughts, if we instead purpose to seek to follow the Lord, it will always drive that out selfishness and pride, because they can't abide with God's love!
On being weird
Two Sundays ago at Emmaus, we had a very timely message from Romans 12:1,2. It was also full of relevant fashion advice.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Here are some notes Hannah took down for me....
beseech - to beg urgently or anxiously, to request earnestly
therefore - this is the pivotal verse in Romans (fourth time it appears in Romans)
brethren - confirms that Paul is writing to believers in Rome
mercies of God - not getting what you deserve
present your bodies - meaning 'utter abandonment to God'
living sacrifice - in contrast to the dying sacrifices of the OT, is a life completely dedicated to God
holy - set apart for God's purpose
There are two parts to sanctification-
First is our stand; we are all saints
Second is our journey; as we go thru life we become more like Him
Reasonable service - our self-offering = "Spiritual Worship" The only sensible response if your body is yielded to the Lord
Not Conformed to the world - don't be molded by the world We're supposed to be like a square peg that doesn't fit into a round hole.
Transformed - to change from or "transfigured" (as in Matthew 17:1-2; Mark 9:2-3; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Transform means to change form By the renewing of your mind
Wherever your mind goes, your body will follow: The battle is for the mind
Offer our Body
Our mind controls our body
Our will controls our mind
We must yield our will to God
God controls our mind and makes us more spiritually minded thru his word.
"I like these verses." Hebrews 12:1-2
God's will for us to be conformed to His image.
Three things we must give to God:
Our Body,
Our Mind,
Our Will.
With the love he has shown us how can we not give him that.
therefore - this is the pivotal verse in Romans (fourth time it appears in Romans)
brethren - confirms that Paul is writing to believers in Rome
mercies of God - not getting what you deserve
present your bodies - meaning 'utter abandonment to God'
living sacrifice - in contrast to the dying sacrifices of the OT, is a life completely dedicated to God
holy - set apart for God's purpose
There are two parts to sanctification-
First is our stand; we are all saints
Second is our journey; as we go thru life we become more like Him
Reasonable service - our self-offering = "Spiritual Worship" The only sensible response if your body is yielded to the Lord
Not Conformed to the world - don't be molded by the world We're supposed to be like a square peg that doesn't fit into a round hole.
Transformed - to change from or "transfigured" (as in Matthew 17:1-2; Mark 9:2-3; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Transform means to change form By the renewing of your mind
Wherever your mind goes, your body will follow: The battle is for the mind
Offer our Body
Our mind controls our body
Our will controls our mind
We must yield our will to God
God controls our mind and makes us more spiritually minded thru his word.
"I like these verses." Hebrews 12:1-2
God's will for us to be conformed to His image.
Three things we must give to God:
Our Body,
Our Mind,
Our Will.
With the love he has shown us how can we not give him that.
So, we are to be different from the world, from the inside out. Not conformed to it.
This does not mean we make choices based on booklists or hemlines lengths, but by meditating on and obeying God's Word.
This is where we want ourselves, our daughters, our sisters in Christ.
Am I, in my choices, wholly given over to the Lord, offering my body a living sacrifice?
Am I directing my children to please themselves or the Lord in the choices they make?
Am I conforming to the pattern of this world by the why's and how's of my choices?
Do I choose to please myself, the world, or the Lord?
If the Lord wanted me to forgive those who trespass against me, even 7 x 77 times, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to take no thought for tomorrow, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to obey the laws of the land, even if I could break the rules without earthly consequences, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to testify to his saving grace before mockers, would I?
If the Lord wanted me to wear an orange highway cone on my head, would I?
No, he doesn't want me to wear an orange highway cones on my head.
It would look pretty weird, wouldn't it?
It would look pretty weird, wouldn't it?
Yes!
And it looks pretty weird
to do everything else the Lord wants us to do, too!
That is guaranteed if we are not being conformed to the pattern of this world.
And it looks pretty weird
to do everything else the Lord wants us to do, too!
That is guaranteed if we are not being conformed to the pattern of this world.
It's weird to forgive enemies. "You're letting them walk all over you!"
It's weird to testify for the Lord. "You're judging me!"
It's weird to not worry about retirement. "You have to have common sense!"
So, as we consider and meditate on Romans 12:1, 2, let's expect our minds to be transformed, let's expect there to be a transformation in our lives and all the choices we make. Let's purpose to grow closer to him and the knowledge of his will as we offer our bodies a living sacrifice each day! And let's realize that this will necessitate our becoming increasingly "weird" in the eyes of the world. We should not be afraid of being weird, of standing out, as long as it's for the right reason.
Here are more verses to guide our motivation in the choices we make.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:15, 16
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John 2:15, 16
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20
There is a sobering alternative to being weird in the eyes of the world:
"The world cannot hate us because we are too much like its own."
-- Jim Elliot
-- Jim Elliot
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