Not Ashamed - Page 13

houston · #**121** 09-16-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J4Truth

If the outward holy standards can hide what's in someone's heart, do taking them away some how reveals it?

I mean you always hear about the ones that are hiding behind outward holiness standards. So in churches that do not have such a standard do you now see the bad ones?

Or are they still hiding in plain sight?

The point is, your friends focus so much on outer appearance that real issues of life easily slip off the radar. When conformity to a dress code is the (supposed) fruit of the spirit, this is the result, people hiding behind a facade.

Now to answer your questions. Emphatically, no! Removing a dress code does not reveal a persons heart.

Amanah · #**122** 09-16-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J4Truth

If the outward holy standards can hide what's in someone's heart, do taking them away some how reveals it?

I mean you always hear about the ones that are hiding behind outward holiness standards. So in churches that do not have such a standard do you now see the bad ones?

Or are they still hiding in plain sight?

I visit an AoG church near my close to my home from time to time, along with the UPC church that i more regularly attend. The AoG people, for the most part, have a basic sense of modesty and holiness even though no one is preaching UPC standards to them.

Maybe it's better to let people be who they really are. Wouldn't you rather have people be real and able to admit their flaws and shortcomings, then to pretend to have a perfect life that is all together even if it isn't?

You can tell a woman she has to wear a dress down below her knees, but if she wants to she can wear it tight and find a way to make it sexy anyway.

Maybe we could help each other grow in Christ better if we can be honest about who we really are with each other.

I feel like I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts into words here, and I'm trying hard not to be misunderstood, but I don't think its working.

Amanah · #**123** 09-16-2011, 04:32 PM

Maybe an example:

I knew a Youth pastor years ago. He and his family were all the epitomy of holiness in dress, appearance, and all manner of conversation. His wife and girls wore long dresses, long hair. He preached against movies and worldly entertainment and seemed to be the perfect example of Apostolic holiness. He had us all fooled. His wife found out that he was raping his 12 year old daughter. He went to jail. His wife divorced him. His girl went into the foster care system. What was the point of the appearance of holiness?

Maybe if he would have been able to be imperfect he could have reached out for help with his weaknesses. He was probably molested as a child himself. I'm sure it breaks his heart to this day that he destroyed his family. How can we admit that we need help if we think we have to appear perfect even when we are not?

NotforSale · #**124** 09-16-2011, 04:46 PM

Can you guess who these women are?

pelathais · #**125** 09-16-2011, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narrow Is The Way

...
Lets see here, a nice list of things that blinded the scribes and pharisees.

Loving our Neighbor
prayer
being a witness
restoring a brother
Acts 2:38
Jesus Name
Love the sinner and Hate Sin
Ungodly Music
Gods of this World
Hope to the hopeless
Godliness and Modesty etc.

Excellent NFS!! That is certainly what blinded the Scribes and Pharisees. OUCH!!

"Ouch?" LOL. Go over your list again, Bro. For example, just how were the "Pharisees blinded" by "ungodly music?"

You're just making stuff up. LOL.

Ouch!

Amanah · #**126** 09-16-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Can you guess who these women are?

are they mormon sister wives?

RandyWayne · #**127** 09-16-2011, 05:04 PM

The Andrew Sisters?
(with another sister or two and their mother thrown in)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Can you guess who these women are?

"Oh it's Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of company B."

pelathais · #**128** 09-16-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

and I should would rather do a little extra than not enough but no matter what I do without HIS MERCY I COULD NEVER BE SAVED....

... it is important that we remember that what we "do" - we do BECAUSE of His mercy - and not in an attempt to earn or deserve salvation. Salvation is a free gift. If that gift has to be EARNED - then it is no longer a GIFT.

"Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, " Romans 4:4-5 (ESV).

"But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." Romans 11:6 (ESV)

We are not DUE any mercy nor salvation. We have not earned nor deserved any mercy or salvation either. Instead, we received mercy as a free gift.

This is the foundation of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 3:11). Anything that is built on any other foundation is simply NOT the Gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7; Ephesians 2:19-22). If we don't get the foundation right, nothing else really matters - we've failed to apprehend that for which we have been apprehended.