This whole discussion brings to light a serious issue in OP churches that from the inside, you really can't see.
Holiness standards should be taught to be an individual thing.
Christ never called us to be cookie-cutter look-alike believers.
Once you begin to believe that everyone needs to look, act and dress the same way as you, you are on the wrong track. We are to maintain our holiness as unto the Lord, and not unto a group of people or the pastor ....
Once you begin to judge other people based on their outward dress than you have essentially become the Pharisee that Jesus warned against.
We are not to judge outward dress, appearances or even someone's heart. We are called to judge the fruit though. If someone is manifesting the fruits of the spirit, then we know the condition of their heart, because their heart is represented by their fruit.... love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness....
When we begin to judge people based on their outward appearance, then we receive the judgement that Jesus handed out to the Pharisees.... scathing words that they were sons of Belial, white washed sepulchers, hypocrites...
Matthew 15 sums this idea up pretty well:
Matthew 15:7-9 7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their
heart is far from me.
9
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 12:38-40
38 And he said unto them in
his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
So, according to the words of Jesus, we are to BEWARE those who:
1. Love to go in long clothing
2. Love salutations in the marketplace
3. Chief seats in the synagogues
4. Uppermost rooms at the feasts
5. Devour widows houses
6. Make long prayers
These shall receive the greater damnation...
Do you see where present OP preachers, and people fit into this category today?
I would rather take care of my heart condition before the Lord, as that is what the Lord taught the most about... Christ didn't teach outward standards, He taught heart standards.
I love the OP doctrine, and belief in baptism in Jesus name, infilling of the Spirit, but I cannot go back to those OP churches that place a higher role on external standards than they do of the heart standards that Christ taught. I don't even have a problem with some of the dress codes... but the idea that they are part of salvation is a mindset I have no desire to ever be a part of again.
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