We did not wear uniforms

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

While I believe some standards do have a place among the believers, I also believe we have neglected the greater for the lesser. Many believers do have pride in their standards, and in so doing, have ventured into sin because of it. The reason is that the focus of their walk is on their appearance more than their entire life. This is not true of all, but many I have encountered. While I think we should dress appropriately as believers, I see no problem with women wearing women's jeans. I do have a problem with women who have chosen not to wear jeans, but have a seriously bad attitude and use their standard as a baseball bat to beat people over the head with.

Like I said, before someone gets mad, let me say again that I am not saying this of all, but of most of those I have met in person.

True believers love unconditionally, minister freely, praise liberally, worship sincerely, and strive to live godly, all in Jesus Christ. What is on the inside will manifest on the outside, but maybe not as the hardcore standards that some believe are essential to being saved. We are not saved by works, but by grace we are saved through faith.

Now THAT was good.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

Maybe because I've never gone to a UPCI church I've never experienced any of this. The church I attend now we do have standards. We do believe strongly in "holiness or Hell". It's preached over the pulpit. I've never seen anyone judged for wearing pants to church. We have people (especially new folks) come in pants just about every Sunday. The pastor discourages it, but it's not preached over the pulpit normally, that's something we deal with later after someone is saved and it's not harped upon we just let them know "this is our tradition and our standard we as you to respect it". I've never seen anyone say they are "more saved" because of the way they are dressed. Our pastor is very realistic and lets us know that holiness is required, but if one falls from grace there is redemption and this is not an easy walk and we need both correction and love and understanding. He makes it clear that if it had not been for God that we'd have no redemption and we are not saved by our own actions but by the Holy Spirit who lives in us. I've never seen a pastor be ugly and nasty towards people, but I do believe especially in this day and age there is a place for correction. There's an emphasis on not being worldly in action and deed, and yes even dress. We shouldn't be tearing people down, but we should still be correcting them and telling them the truth. You can't call yourself a christian and wear booty-skirts and engage in inappropriate sexual behavior. We should govern ourselves with modesty. I don't see why we shouldn't. Even some fundamentalist baptist folks believe this (btw) this isn't only something coming out of the Wesleyan Holiness Movement. Granted I don't think we should be kicking people around with standards, BUT we can't claim to be Christians and just live however we want and not expect correction.

good post

[MamaHen]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

I think that so many have a seriously distorted notion about holiness. Holiness is not what you do, but instead what you do is a fruit or evidence of holiness. Holiness is a divine work of grace imputed to the believers by faith, and is something we are all called to walk in, not become. We become holy before God when we come into Him. We cannot dress holy or be holy, unless we are in Christ, the one who makes us holy.

Amen.

[MamaHen]

Originally Posted by pelathais

The arbitrary nature in which these "dress codes" and other "standards" (and even out-right sin) are administered and the harm that is done by our own ignorance is probably the biggest reason God has not blessed the UPC and other Apostolic organizations with revival. If we can't be trusted with the relative hand full of people who wander through our doors, how can He trust us with the billions who are seeking the Kingdom? (Luke 19:12-27).

If we can't correctly disciple people on a concept as basic as "Jesus is the Savior" - then how can we be trusted with the souls of any child of God or even "potential" child of God?

Do your split ends really amount to something worthy of honor in the Kingdom? Honor for whom? We declare it to be an "honor" and "glory" for a woman to NEVER trim her split ends. We say that she cannot even be saved if she does. Torn and worn out strands of keratin protein have become our gods. That, and a "smart suit" and "bifurcated garments" on the "correct" people and no "bifurcated garments" on the "incorrect" people.

We have a "priesthood" that is garbed in stranger array than any Babylonian priest or priestess. And, none of it is Bible.

It greatly reminds me of the hedge laws or "laws of the fence" that the Judaic priesthood lorded over the people. The exact same thing that Jesus came in and crushed. The modern Apostolics have created their own version.