looking for a balance who can relate

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I agree with most of your post, but totally disagree with the concept that the Bible doesn't mention balance. The Bible speaks quite often about moderation, putting off the unnecessary standards forced on us by men, maintaining the necessary things, etc. Paul says, in fact, "let your moderation be known unto all men."

The concept of moderation and balance is extremely prevalent in the Bible.

What does moderation mean in that text? Not balance. God only deals on a obedienc/disobedience level.

[Jay]

I do not care about what people think, further I tried to avoid being gender specific. I have seen men with their shirts open to the second button below the collar, with no t-shirt under it, and have the same view of that as I do of a plunging neckline on a woman's blouse. Therefore, both are the same.

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Let's see what God says about outward appearances.

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. I Samuel 16:7
and

Colossians 2:20-22

20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using; ) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

And

The entire chapter of Romans 14 tells gives us lessons about judging our brother. (and in this case...our sisters)

good excerpt:

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.



My husband says that when a person receives the Holy Ghost, we do not need to harp on her modesty. If a woman is truly honest in her heart, the Holy Ghost will teach her modesty. Modesty is not a grocery list of do's and don'ts, handwritten and passed out by men and women who think they ought to tell others how to live.

I will add this:
Too much focus is placed upon the woman's attire and looks. If we believe the Holy Ghost draws, convicts and Jesus saves souls through His blood shed on the Cross, why should anybody try to make women feel intimidated by shunning, pointing fingers, etc because she does not cow-tow to other people's demands of their convictions/ standards onto her?

I have learned that I was so busy trying to dress to please the other women just to try to fit into the church system that I became very unhappy because it was never enough. There was always something that someone did not like about me. Even clear nail polish and hair adornment such as chop sticks or bows was on the hit list. It was taking my eyes of Christ and springing up a root of bitterness because of all the pettiness over attire... Sucking the spiritual life out of me.

I am still working on ME because I cannot help what other people say or do. I don't answer for them, but I will have to answer to God for me and what I have said or done. It is a sobering thought.

David was a man after God's own heart because he repented and asked God to forgive him when he done wrong. God was always faithful to forgive, as I remind myself I must forgive those who have hurt me over the nonsense of what other people thought I should do or don't do.

live4him is seeing that winning souls, being truly happy in Christ and having a meek and humble spirit is more important than wearing dresses to the ground, collars to the chin and sleeves to the knuckles. She has the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost will convict her (nobody else through intimidation) of any of her clothing attire should it ever become inappropriate.


Peace to you my friend.

If I was still part of the mother ship, I'd consider voting you in as the General Superintendent...if the laymen were allowed to vote in such a manner.

Well-said!

[The Lemon]

I have heard the rhetoric before that balance is not Biblical. In fact I heard it mentioned once that balance was the same thing as compromise (from a preacher, of course). I can't help but think about Isaiah when the Bible talks of the just weight and equal balance. The problem is not balance itself, but balance in light of the Bible versus balance being used to justify the motives of the flesh.

Unfortunately, because we are all different, it is possible for a suject such as balance to be subjective and loaded with opinion.

I stronger stance on modesty will certainly never hurt. How we treat others, especially in the household of faith tends to be the bigger issue. I know it has taken me every bit of the last four years to begin understanding that this walk with God is very personal, and indeed should be. Sometimes we adopt certain things from how we were taught, for example some outward modesty standards, but never really get it for ourselves in relation to our walk with God...that is where the problem is.

I believe obedience to God is imperative, and I also believe there is blessing in obeying your pastor, the difference is that God is your eternal savior, and while you are doing your best to maintain obedience and order in your life and to the leadership God has placed over you, at some point your walk needs to be your walk, and you must develop convictions based on your relationship with God..if not, questioning standards will be just the start of a more agonizing journey though your beliefs.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by AncientPaths

Does this rule out my skinny jeans?

Which is hopefully only the FIRST unmanly thing you've done today.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Dagwood

If I was still part of the mother ship, I'd consider voting you in as the General Superintendent...if the laymen were allowed to vote in such a manner.

Well-said!

Thanks Dagwood but do you know what an uproar that would cause within the UPCI??
I was going to say that my husband would be a better choice, but then again, he is more of a one on one witness minister to people who do not know Jesus.

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I agree with most of your post, but totally disagree with the concept that the Bible doesn't mention balance. The Bible speaks quite often about moderation, putting off the unnecessary standards forced on us by men, maintaining the necessary things, etc. Paul says, in fact, "let your moderation be known unto all men."

The concept of moderation and balance is extremely prevalent in the Bible.

Excellent response! The Bible does mention balance, and without balance we would be nothing more than a Sea-sick, unable Christian.

Job 31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.

Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Excellent response! The Bible does mention balance, and without balance we would be nothing more than a Sea-sick, unable Christian.

Job 31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.

Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

That's not the balance they talking about. Who determines if were balanced or not? If we do then are we not our own scale?

[Dagwood]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

That's not the balance they talking about. Who determines if were balanced or not? If we do then are we not our own scale?

If it's not the balance they talking about, what balance is?

[commonsense]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

I agree with most of your post, but totally disagree with the concept that the Bible doesn't mention balance. The Bible speaks quite often about moderation, putting off the unnecessary standards forced on us by men, maintaining the necessary things, etc. Paul says, in fact, "let your moderation be known unto all men."

The concept of moderation and balance is extremely prevalent in the Bible.

Moderation; balance; and of course_________commonsense!