Quote:
Originally Posted by n david
So I have a question. If beards and dress standards is keeping us from revival ... why hasn't there been a revival among people who left the UPC and had hair cutting parties and grew their beards out like Duck Dynasty? From what you and Aquila claim, beard and dress standards are hindering "tens of thousands" of hungry believers. So where's this revival among those liberated from the awful beard prohibition and dress standards?
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Beards and dress standards aren't necessarily keeping us from revival. The way I see it is there are several things I can think of that are keeping us from revival. And it probably isn't limited to what I'm listing here. Here's my take on it:
1.) Sin
2.) Worldliness
3.) Pride/Elitism
4.) Lack of genuine love.
5.) Unbiblical traditions of men being taught as doctrine
I'm not against dress standards, because the Bible is clear about modesty. Anyone who would argue that I'm against dress standards is lying to you. Now, my idea of necessary dress standards might differ from some more strict sects in the Apostolic movement, but I do believe in dress standards. There's no need for low cut blouses, mini-skirts, tight women's jeans, sheer see-through clothing, etc. on women who profess to know Jesus. Solid biblical teaching will inspire women to aspire to biblical Christian modesty. Men have no need to go without shirts, wear muscle shirts in public, tight pants, short-shorts, either. If a man professes to know Jesus, he will also aspire to Christian modesty. Modest clothing will also not reflect any extreme in style or extravagance.
Modesty is a Christian discipline that Christians grow into. I do not think that a woman is in "sin" if she continues to wear pants after being saved. I believe that most likely, given the nature of the design of women's pants, her pants are immodest. Sound, Christ centered, love focused, Christian teaching will bring to bear a desire to be more modest, and therefore the desire to wear skirts and dresses.
I'm against dangling women over Hell because of women's pants, makeup, jewelry, wedding bands, etc. I do believe that a woman will deepen her practice of Christian modesty as she matures in Christ. I think preachers who dangle women over Hell because of pants, makeup, etc., are just too lazy to engage in sensible, loving, and inspiring Christian teaching that is rooted directly in the New Testament. It's easier to tell someone they better line up or go to Hell because you don't have to explain anything. Nor do you have to answer any questions or think and consider other circumstances outside of the fundamentalist paradigm. And those who might have questions, or who might disagree at that moment must either line up, or they will face rejection from the body, be labeled rebellious, and eventually choose to leave. It's a lazy, cold, mechanical, and unloving way to rush the process of sanctification.
So, please don't think I oppose dress standards or Christian modesty. I just approach it differently.
Sin is failure to love God or others as one's self. Any number of actions from lying, to idolatry, to lust, to adultery, or even murder, are sin. Sin will hinder revival. Sin must be confessed, renounced, and repented of. Restitution should be made if applicable.
Worldliness is not only about wardrobe. It is how one identifies themselves. It is how one dresses the mind. If you identify as a 49ers fan, a Mason, a Republican, a Democrat, a given profession, a member of a given denomination, a holder of a given philosophy, a member of any given world religion, etc., etc., you're worldly. Your focus is on the world. Your identity is wrapped up in it. I know people who are more "United Pentecostal" or "ALJC" than they are like Christ. Their loyalty, motivations, interpretations, lifestyle, etc., is predicated upon their religious identity as it relates to the organization or church that they are a part of... and not Christ alone. Love of human org is a part of the pride of life. Pride over one's earthly religious tradition is worldliness, even if it is "modest", is pride over an idolatrous self identification. One's identity should be in... Christ alone.
What saddens me is that we've become so flagrantly prideful over our "Apostolic Identity" and earthly religious heritage and traditions that we look strangely at anyone who speaks of being identified with Christ alone. This should be a major red flag, but Satan has seduced us into this so very subtle trap to the point that even if someone tries to draw our attention to it... we fight them, denounce them, curse them, etc. Like trapped hostages who defend their desire to remain in a cell, we slam the door on any who would challenge us to leave the cell, screaming, "Get out!" This is a big hinderance to revival. Because people who are serious about needing a Savior don't want "Apostolic identity", they want... JESUS.
Lack of genuine love can also hinder revival. If you only "love" people for the sake of making them a member of some organization, or to put another notch on your "soul winner" belt, it isn't real love. It's treating people like trophies. If you don't care about their entire well being (physical, spiritual, emotional) it's only a love based on an expectation or desire that they comply with you. Now, the desire to see people enter the Kingdom of God isn't what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the desire to win people to a human organization, tradition, or even a human pastor, this is a serious misdirection in focus. True love is patient, kind, and long suffering. It is personal. It is emotional. Many times we lambast folks with facts and polemics to win them through logic, but salvation is a emotional thing. It must be felt and experienced...it can't just be a cold and lifeless factoid. As the old saying goes, people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
Unbiblical traditions. These are sharks in the water that often feast on new souls that are born again. Most Americans have some Bible knowledge and come from a Christian tradition of this world. After repenting of sin, experiencing the baptism of the Holy Ghost with speaking in other tongues, after being water baptized in the name above all names, the name of Jesus... they begin to soak up everything like hungry little sponges wanting to know more about living for God in the light of this new and living experience. And that's when these sharks come in... If one has some knowledge of Scripture, or grows into the knowledge of Scripture, they will begin to notice a problem. They will begin to notice that in some churches many of our "standards" are not merely standards, they are "mandates", or "requirements" to maintain salvation. Now, this isn't a problem in and of itself if these mandates are found on the pages of Scripture staring back at them as they read them. However, if a standard/mandate/requirement isn't in Scripture... that's when the problem begins. They, being in love with their new experience in Christ, will either shift their loyalty and passion from Christ and the Word to our man made traditions of man... or they will begin asking questions and becoming frustrated and disenchanted with the mold being forced upon them. And if there isn't any Scripture to back up whatever radical claim being made, it all just begins to look cultic, legalistic, and no different from the Catholic Church or any other religion based on human traditions that have been raised up to being equal in authority to Scripture. You might as well mandate that men wear tin foil hats along with mandating that men be clean shaven to be saved... because both ideas are not in Scripture. It is at this point that knowledgeable new converts will disappear because of all the "man made rules"... or even seasoned saints will eventually feel they must leave to be loyal to Scripture because they oppose the traditions of men being taught as doctrine.
NOTE TO THE READERS
Some will try to discredit what I've said above by pointing to my personal politics that they might disagree with. Some will try to discredit what I've said by pointing to some personal character flaw. Some will try to discredit what I've said by pointing to some moral imperfection that I might bear. Some will try to discredit what I've said because I swear no loyalty to any human organization. Some will try to discredit what I've said because of some lack of performance in some area that they deem is important.
But don't let them trick you. Because when they do this, they make the discussion about me... only to distract you from seriously considering what I'm hoping to say. Even a broken watch is right twice a day. So, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of me personally. What matters is this...
Is what I'm saying "true"???
So, please don't allow them to distract you by personal attacks against me. Return to the details of what I've posted above. Evaluate them as they stand on their own merits.
While I am tragically flawed, and might be terribly imperfect in many ways... what I'm saying to you is the absolute truth as far I see and understand it.
Feel free to share your thoughts above what I've written. But if all you wish to do is to attack me personally, please go to the kiddie pool and play your foolish games there. lol
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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