Keeping the Standards
 

Just thought there were so many threads praising and rejoicing in having NO standards. I just thought I would start one saying I am very happy living by the Biblical standards preached by the Apostolic church all these years. NOT IN BONDAGE don't feel sorry for me.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

:thumbsup

Glad you continue to post here with us, even though we probably don't agree on dress standards.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I once heard an old black preacher preach regarding the standards...His statement went something like this...

"If I'm in bondage...then I LOVE my chains"!

Can't you just hear him sing/preach that one!

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

And there are still many like you around the country. :)

Most of them just don't post on forums.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Yes and some do but on conservative forums.:thumbsup

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Because their standards are too high to hang out with me.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

True.

And true. ;)

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Can't recall anyone, not even me, saying they have NO standards.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Ah. Outward standards. I stand (sorta) corrected, as there were some that voted that they have dropped them.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

We all know what he means - -

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

The Apostle Paul said that he was a "Bond Servant" of Jesus Christ!:thumbsup

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

many people forget that and usually add a little humanism into the judgments of God.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

If one desires to please God,discipleship calls for personal holiness so if one walks in holiness they will have standards of conduct,while there can be differences of convictions on some issues,all sincere believers will desire to walk in a lifestyle that glorifies The Lord.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I think we all know what he means, but does he mean what we think he means?

I'masking Brother Eply... no, I'll reply to his post and ask him.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

First let me say that I am blessed to know that you live the standard you do out of conviction because when you do that you are not under bondage you freed by the grace of God to live out your conviction.

In response to the "No Standards" statement: I don't think I've read one post that indicated there we should not have standards, but outside of what the scripture actually says, we should not expect others to live by our convictions.

Here are some examples of my standards:
- I'm sitting here writing with a pair of modest shorts on. The same shorts I had on a couple of hours ago in our church staff meeting. - In your mind does that mean I don't have any dress standards?
-I have a TV, cable and a DVD player - does that mean I don't have a standard?
-My wife wears pants, make-up and jewelry, yet she is adorned with a meek and humble spirit - does that mean she doesn't have standards?

Do you see my point? I do have standards, and I believe we all do, but my question is do you view me as having "No Standards" because mine are different than yours?

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Is being sold out 80%? It's not whether you gave up things it's whether you give up all. Not talking about you personally but the flow of your point.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

What I love to hear most, is preaching about going on to perfection. I wonder if it might not be best for all of us to figure out, and be fully persuaded in our minds about our outward dress standards, and then for our discussions between us on AFF, we spend our time exhorting one another to perfection. After all, none of us can really see what each other is wearing on AFF, unless you live near some of these people... and dress standards, besides basic principles of modesty vary so greatly over culture and time... what we contend for today, might be "normal" tommorrow, as I'm sure what yesteryear preached against as "immodest" is perfectly fine today.

-Bro. Alex

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Ahh. more abstract truisms. Can you apply some practical application to your "give up all" mantra and please translate into a concrete response ;)

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I hear what you are saying about the 80% thing - that's where I was when I was compromising my convictions by trying to enforce what rules and standards that others were trying to impose. When I finally became willing to pay the price I had to separate from those who saw devils under every bush and had impure thoughts about a myriad of innocent behaviors.

It cost me greatly, but now I live by my understanding of the scripture regarding holiness and consecration. It is difficult because now I don't have someone else dictating the rules. I lost the approval of the brethren I loved because they did not understand the position I took.

I suppose that is what you meant.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I've heard a preacher on more than one occasion talk about how that what some Christians deem acceptable today would never have been acceptable by the world, 50 years ago.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

That is true, but it doesn't mean that things that are acceptable now are necessarily wrong. Whether people want to admit it or not, most of our standards are based on culture. As has been mentioned over and over, 200 years ago mid-calf length skirts were waaaaay taboo.

That's why God gave us some principles that will work in every culture, every time period.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Steve, where are some of those conservative forums? Maybe that's where I belong.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I was wondering what the conservative forums were too... one is Good News Cafe probably, but I don't know of any others that might be.

I can't be deemed conservative in some circles because I believe what we do or don't do should be based on what is plainly stated in the bible and on our personal convictions, not on peer pressure. But if any of you met me, you would almost invariably label me as UC because of my dress and where I go to church. And I am happy with my lifestyle. If I weren't, I wouldn't. :)

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

"We are all just prisoners here...of our own device" Hotel California by the Eagles

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Amen. Those in bondage are the ones who can't go outside the house without makeup or their cigarette's and lighter.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

It is true that those who CAN'T go out of their house without those things are in bondage. But make-up can be used or not depending on whatever. Cigarettes, now there is an addiction.

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I can't go out of the house without my hair curled and fixed. NOT happening, unless it's an emergency.

I guess that's why some preachers preach against curlers. ;)

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

You don't have outward standards of your own? Sheesh... I'd never walk out of the house with my shirt off and in my comic strip pajamas :blush

Seriously though, hopefully you have some standards of your own concerning your appearance.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Or those who can't go outside without their earrings, long sleeve shirts, heroin and hypodermic needles.

Or possibly some other random combination of unrelated things. :lol

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I walk to our mailbox wearing sweats or my Green Bay Packers boxers and either a T-shirt or no shirt, all the time.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I don't even walk to the mailbox without my hair curled. I have my standards! :)

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I never walk to the mailbox with no shirt. No sirree!!!! :ursofunny

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I never walk to the mailbox...I stop the car and tell one of the kids jump out and get the mail. That's my standard.

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See the little guy running back and forth, in my sig line? What's he wearing? :toofunny

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A yellow bodysuit.

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

:heeheehee

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

see, the problem is, that's God's job. :thumbsup Read his Word and pray about it. We are only his friends if we do what he commands!

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

It's God's job to decide what it means to "give up all"?

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

Yes! read his point! He wanted definition and application... Yes it is his JOB to lead us. How can I say how for you to give up all! I don't know you and even if I did it's not my job. Giving up all is a clear definition to me. ALL is ALL. He wanted more. How to go about that is to be led by the Spirit and study his Word. Being led by the Spirit is the application IMO! No hindrance to the Spirit is ALL!

Re: Keeping the Standards
 

I see. (I think. ;))