Is There A Difference In?

[Sasha]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Why someone would ever divorce holiness from righteousness is beyond me.

One cannot be righteous in the eyes of God, and NOT be holy. One cannot be considered holy by God, and NOT be considered righteous, as well.

So to argue over whether these things should be called holiness standards or standards of righteousness seems unnecessary.

To me, it's just clothing. There is no scripture where clothing was ever made a big deal about except in the Law, which no longer applies.

Perhaps if we put as much emphasis on love for one another and faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel, we wouldn't need to preach about how people should dress.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Sasha

To me, it's just clothing. There is no scripture where clothing was ever made a big deal about except in the Law, which no longer applies.

Perhaps if we put as much emphasis on love for one another and faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel, we wouldn't need to preach about how people should dress.

Modesty, standards, living a holy life free from offense, being careful to maintain good works before the saved and the lost, obeying God's word, and not being a stumblingblock IS the best way to put an "emphasis on love for one another and faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel".

How else do we love one another if not by making certain that our behavior (which includes our appearance) is becoming of Godliness?

And since the Gospel refers first to the death of the Messiah, a death that atoned for and allows for the salvation of the world, we must ask ourselves what Paul said about "sinning against a brother [and I would add sister] for whom Christ DIED" by undertaking certain actions which cause them to offend and be led into sin by following a bad example.

All things are lawful for us, but not all things are expedient.

We are bought with a price and we are not our own.

Do you avow or disavow these truths?

If so, then how is it that these two truths don't apply to personal appearance, specifically to how we dress, especially if how we dress might cause lust or some other divisive difficulty in the Body and Her Christ we claim to love.

1 John 3:14,

14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

Part (not all) of me loving my brethren and my sisters in the Lord is by not hurting their faith with my liberty.

1 Peter 2:16,

16. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

I may be free in the presence of God to appear as I chose (even to the point of Adam or Eve's innocence in the Garden). But I cannot use such a freedom while in the presence of anyone besides God, lest in so doing, I (even inadvertently) put an occasion to fall in someone's way.

Before we were married, while courting, my wife attended Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, MN. There, the male students are required everyday on campus, to wear a shirt and tie, with slacks. The shirt is required to be white only.

A seemingly over the top, ridiculous rule engendered by a Pharisaical approach to outward appearance.

But you know what I did, as a non-student, when I visited my, at the time, girlfriend on campus?

I submitted and wore a white shirt, tie, slacks, and/even a suit jacket. I wasn't required by any rule to do so. I wasn't a student. But for the sake of other men who had agreed to submit by becoming students, I dressed no differently than they in order that they wouldn't feel discouraged or upset. I also did so, so that the leadership there would not be offended at me whenever I came to the school.

Matthew 23:1-3,

1. Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
2. Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
3. All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

The Pharisees set the standard for life among the Jews in 1st century Palestine. And Jesus Himself commanded His followers to observe whatever standard they set before the people.

So we can cry and bemoan the Pharisees in leadership in whatever OP org you want to knock for harping so much about a clothesline standard. Or you can give serious heed to what Jesus said above, and for the sake of unity and the brother or sister next to you, submit to a higher standard than even the Lord requires of you, so those of weak faith who will get offended, don't faithlessly follow your example to their own ruination, because they assumed against their own conscience, that because you have a liberty to dress as you please, they can, too.

Romans 14:23b,

23. ...whatsoever is not of faith is sin.