Standards

[Aquila]

Good Samaritan, I love you bro. I can feel your tender spirit and I love it. We still might have some disagreements, but you're alright in my book.

Originally Posted by good samaritan

The Bible doesn't say it is a sin to gamble. Are casino's a place for a Christian?

Honestly, it depends. Is the Christian on vacation with money they saved up to play with so that it doesn't negatively affect their budget? Some of the entertainment in Vegas us a bit risqué, but in most cases a Christian can avoid that if it offends their spiritual sensibilities. I think it's a matter of personal conviction.

The Bible doesn't say it is sin to drink alcohol. Should a christian go to bars and drink beer as long as they don't get drunk.

I've gone to a bar with my grandfather. Been to the VA and sat at the bar with him too. I've had a couple beers with family on my dad's side and the guys from work on occasion. Applebee's has a bar, nearly every restaurant has a bar. I've sat at the bar and ordered food because they had the best view of a game. Some churches have "theology on tap" kind of ministry where a Christian bar tender (yes, there are Christian bar tenders) will allow a church to cordon off a portion of the facility and host a meeting where the speaker addresses more mature topics and even takes questions from those attending. Anyone is free to listen or ask questions.

The Bible doesn't its a sin for women to wear bikinis. Yes, it speaks of modesty, but there are no definitions. individuals can say what they think is modest and what is not.

I believe the Bible mentions the "thigh" being "nakedness", so anything above the knee and below the hips would qualify.

Exodus 28:42
And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Of course, the "thigh" is also a Hebrew euphemism for a woman's more intimate area.

I'd say the issue is time and place. In mixed company... it might be too much skin. If it is family or just girls, there isn't a real issue. Also, those that I know who wear bikinis also wear beach robes or shirts that cover them when they aren't in the water. I live in Ohio. I've rarely had any issue with standards relating to swimwear. But if I lived in Florida or California, I might feel differently. So, again, it can be an area of personal conviction.

The Bible doesn't say its wrong to cuss. It speaks of swearing, but that is in regards to oaths. Should Christians cuss?

I think the Bible is clear that we aren't to cuss:

Matthew 5:22 - But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 12:34-37 - 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Romans 3:14 - Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness:

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Ephesians 5:4 - Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

James 3:10 - Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

So, I believe the Bible is clear against cursing. Remember, Isaiah was a man with unclean lips, evidently he had some struggles with cursing. However, God purified his mouth when the angel touched his lips with a burning coal. No wiggle room on cursing. One's only real option is to confess it and seek to control their tongue.

The Bible doesn't explicitly name a lot of things that are a part of our society, but standards are boundaries we set that keep away such reproach out of the church. All these things the world does, but Christians should not. IMO this is how standards seperate us from the world.

I think standards often separate us from the world as it relates to fashion and recreation. However, what really separates us from the world... and moves people... is love. I've attended some legalistic churches in my past. I look back and ask myself about how many times during those years I volunteered to work in a food pantry, a soup kitchen, a clothing closet, a homeless shelter, a battered women's shelter, etc. Never. However, the house church I've been in fellowship with is big on volunteer service to those in need. Me and a few others (we call ourselves "helping hands") like volunteering at the Dayton Gospel Mission. We prepare lunch, serve lunch, and clean up. It's an all day affair. I did dishes for several hours one day. I was wet, soggy, sore, and overheated (they don't have air conditioning). But it was one of the most sacred thing's I've done. Love. Love for God and love for others. When we see someone hurting, in pain, oppressed, persecuted, treated unjustly... do we seek to ease their pain and/or stand up for them if necessary? Are we a voice of love and peace in a world filled with hatred and violence?

To me... those things mentioned above matter far more than if a woman wears a bikini or if me and the lady love decide to go to Vegas for vacation. The focus on standards often leaves us majoring in minors.

Also, the focus on standards can cause spiritual immaturity. People learn to live by the "convictions" of the pastor, the organization, or the church body they attend. They don't learn exactly what their own personal convictions are. And their convictions therefore are repressed. They don't get the spiritual growth through experience and assessment. I believe that the Holy Spirit leads and guides us. For example, the Holy Spirit has convicted me against owning a weapon. However, I don't teach that everyone should not own weapons, and I do support the 2nd Amendment. But for me, it would be sin. I see thing wrong with eating pork or shrimp. Nor do I feel convicted about Sabbath or holy day. However, anything dedicated to an idol, I will not touch. I don't see anything wrong with a glass of wine, but I'd never drink in front of a brother who has a struggle with alcoholism... even though he should have already had that demon cast out and be free.

We have to learn to walk in the Spirit. This means we all need to learn how to hear the Spirit lead and guide us in what is right and wrong for us as individuals. A blanket list of standards stunts this growth and makes cookie cutter Christians as one might make mannequins on an assembly line.

So standards aren't really all that. I'd rather see people grow into the individuals God desires them to be... and see them serve God and their fellow man in a spirit of love and humility. This is what separates us from the world. Every religion in the world has a dress code, dietary code, special days, etc. Yes, the religions of this world are FULL of "standards". So, frankly, a Christianity with a focus on "standards" is a worldly Christianity. It isn't a Spirit led servant Christianity.