Keeping the Standards

[Ron]

Originally Posted by GraceAmazing

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!

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

[LUKE2447]

Originally Posted by Ron

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

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

[Scott Hutchinson]

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.

[HopePreacher]

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.

[HopePreacher]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

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.

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?

[LUKE2447]

Originally Posted by HopePreacher

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?

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.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

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

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

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.

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

[HopePreacher]

Originally Posted by LUKE2447

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.

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.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

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

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.