Quote:
Originally Posted by GraceAmazing
This here is a good question!! I have often wondered this myself because I was raised UPC and all things were wrong AND it was wrong to even question it. So, I asked someone recently this question regarding another standard concern and this is the answer I received (maybe it'll help). If you are concerned with what others will think of you, then that is condemnation. If you are totally mortified and deeply concerned about what GOD thinks of you, that's conviction.
That being said, that probably won't totally answer your question, because in reality, you have to study this out for yourself and come to your own spiritually guided conclusion.
|
The problem with the statement in bold, is that I don't think someone would have a conviction that they must wear pants because they are "mortified and deeply concerned about what GOD thinks of you." And if they are wearing pants then they are not concerned about what the "Holiness" people think. But, a person my be "totally mortified and deeply concerned about what GOD thinks" of them if they don't wear a dress because they believe the "Godly" people that have taught them that.
That leaves us with the statement GraceAmazing followed this up with, but the prayer will be different for the one in the Holiness crowd than it will be for the one that wears pants already.
I conclude with this though. I think person that mentioned the rebelliousness in the heart is the issue is correct. Are you wanting to wear pants so YOU fit in with the world, or are you wanting to wear pants so that you minister to the world without them thinking the outside is what needs to change.
Does that make sense? It just seems that when the focus is on the outside, it creates a false idea that the person is doing right on the inside. If we clearly LIVE an example of being Holy on the inside, then how we look on the outside will reflect our seeing our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit.
I believe we need to dress modestly (in a way that does not cause male or female to commit adultery in their hearts) and appropriate to the culture we are in so that we do not draw attention to ourselves. You might dress differently in Southern California than you would in Michigan, for instance. You would certainly dress differently in many other countries.