One of the greatest challenges of being a Christian (for me at least) is not always being able to say what I really want to. But this time, I will.
If you haven't noticed, being a youth in churches of Christ is filled with lots of "unspoken pressures". One of those unspoken pressures is dating. Everywhere you look, seemingly inside and outside of the Lord's church, people are paring up. Is this natural? Yes. Is it required of us? No.
God made Eve for Adam because he was in need of that unique partnership in life. Heavenly Father made her as a "helper suitable" for Adam. He saw the need in Adam's life, and fulfilled it by providing him with a wife. How thoughtful of God!
As human beings, we are in need of food and clothing. As social beings, we are in need of a sense of belonging and close relaionships. I do not deny those two very basic facts. It is a natural part of the life process.
But singleness? Is it acceptable? Is it natural? Is it justifiable? Is it emotionally and spiritually healthy? For some reason, I was convinced that to be single is a death sentence to the nth degree. But...it's not.
Paul was single
He was a great man of faith who took a strong stand for God. He used his singleness to bring glory to God (1 Cor. 10:31). He used his singleness to go about strengthening the congregations. He was not distracted by a family. His priorities were not divided. He was content.
He was single
But did his singleness mean loneliness? By no means! He had acquired a family in the Lord (cf. Romans 16:13; 1 Timothy 1:8). As a Christian, Paul was a brother, father, and son. Though he was single, he had obtained the greatest heritage in history: the church. He had found countless mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters. He was single, but not lonely!
Don't look down on the single ones
Marriage - as we noticed from the beginning - is a divine arrangement, bringing man and woman together in a life-long committed relationship. It is a big step. It is not to be taken lightly. Never though, in the Scriptures, are Christians given a general comand to marry. Christians are taught how to be excellent spouses (cf. Ephesians 5:20-25), but are never required to marry. (Except in the case of overseers and special servants - 1 Timothy 3:1-13).
So for those among us who do not date, and don't plan to marry, show them respect. Value them for their singleness, and include them in various Christian social activities. Don't make them feel awkward by always mentioning your "significant other". Be thoughtful of their choice to live alone.
P.S. Don't ask people who they are dating. It's none of your business. If they choose not to date, that is THEIR decision, not yours.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
A Lost Virtue
If you haven't noticed by now, we live in a very loose society. In particular, though, society's standards for modesty has dropped to an uncomfortable low. What at one time may have been considered "too revealing" has now been termed "not revealing enough". What once was considered underwear has now become outerwear. But, does it really matter what society's standard of modesty is? Not really. Why? Because God's standard for modesty and nakedness has never changed.
Adam and Eve
They had sinned. They had brought shame into their lives. They had dissapointed their heavenly Father. They had fallen out of their right relationship with Him. But only after this did they recognize their nakedness (Genesis 2:25; 3:6-7). So in order to "remedy" their new-found shame, Adam and his wife made for themselves loincloths. Obviously they were convinced that loincloths would be enough "covering". God didn't feel the same way. Because of this, He made for them garments of skin and "clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). Since this was the insance that God clothed them, that means that God did not consider their loincloths as adequate covering.
Some would have us believe that bikinis are acceptable in mixed swimming and as casual wear on hot summer days. But what is God's definition of "clothed"? It must be different from the majority of Americans'!
The Aaronic priests
An interesting and rather minute instruction is given by God to Moses. Jehovah commands that Aaron and his preistly descendants wear linen undergarments that would cover their naked flesh, from their thighs to hips (Exodus 28:40-43). God made sure that when they would fulfill their priestly duties in the tent of meeting, that their flesh would not be exposed to anyone. What a preventive measure for a potentially lustful situation!
Christians
In the New Covenant, God gives further instruction to His people concerning modesty. He said through Paul that Christian women should, "adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Through Peter He said, "Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Peter 3:3-4).
What did you notice about those two passages? God wants His people to focus more on inward modesty than outer. Is this to say that outward modesty is unimportant? NO! It is to say, though, that a woman who is modest in her heart will allow her external clothing to follow suit.
God's standard of modesty has never changed. He still expects those who are His children and who hold His priesthood to dress appropriately (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). Because Christians are called to live according to a higher standard, God expects us to not conform to the low standards and lusts of this world (1 Peter 1:14-15). He calls us to be holy as He is holy. This holiness affects our language, our worship, and among other things, our dress. Please, let's not dissappoint God with your wardrobe, because His Son wore our sins on His body.
Adam and Eve
They had sinned. They had brought shame into their lives. They had dissapointed their heavenly Father. They had fallen out of their right relationship with Him. But only after this did they recognize their nakedness (Genesis 2:25; 3:6-7). So in order to "remedy" their new-found shame, Adam and his wife made for themselves loincloths. Obviously they were convinced that loincloths would be enough "covering". God didn't feel the same way. Because of this, He made for them garments of skin and "clothed them" (Genesis 3:21). Since this was the insance that God clothed them, that means that God did not consider their loincloths as adequate covering.
Some would have us believe that bikinis are acceptable in mixed swimming and as casual wear on hot summer days. But what is God's definition of "clothed"? It must be different from the majority of Americans'!
The Aaronic priests
An interesting and rather minute instruction is given by God to Moses. Jehovah commands that Aaron and his preistly descendants wear linen undergarments that would cover their naked flesh, from their thighs to hips (Exodus 28:40-43). God made sure that when they would fulfill their priestly duties in the tent of meeting, that their flesh would not be exposed to anyone. What a preventive measure for a potentially lustful situation!
Christians
In the New Covenant, God gives further instruction to His people concerning modesty. He said through Paul that Christian women should, "adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Through Peter He said, "Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (1 Peter 3:3-4).
What did you notice about those two passages? God wants His people to focus more on inward modesty than outer. Is this to say that outward modesty is unimportant? NO! It is to say, though, that a woman who is modest in her heart will allow her external clothing to follow suit.
God's standard of modesty has never changed. He still expects those who are His children and who hold His priesthood to dress appropriately (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). Because Christians are called to live according to a higher standard, God expects us to not conform to the low standards and lusts of this world (1 Peter 1:14-15). He calls us to be holy as He is holy. This holiness affects our language, our worship, and among other things, our dress. Please, let's not dissappoint God with your wardrobe, because His Son wore our sins on His body.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
"I suppose I could bear to sweat a bit for Christ"
This was the statement of a beloved Christian sister in an online discussion on foreign missions. We were talking about the inconveniencies that would be faced by Christians serving in a preaching work in a foreign land. What would life without AC, electricity, electronics, running water, etc? Different? Yes. Worth it? Yes.
But on a more personal note, isn't that the theme of New Testament Christianity, losing all to gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)? "Bearing the sweat" of ridicule, broken relationships, giving up pleasurable sinful living, false religion is only a small sacrifice compared the ultimate sacrifice that Christ offered at the cross (Hebrews 9:25-26). The Christian life is indeed diffficult to live (Matthew 7:13-14), but with God's help and care, it is possible (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Jesus demands that His followers be prepared to give up the "comfort zones" of life in order to serve Him. He is not pleased with a religion that does not require self-denial and sacrifice. One pre-requisite to following Christ is to deny self and take up one's cross daily (Luke 9:23-26). In the first century Roman Empire, a cross was not a symbol to wear around one's neck or an ornament to place above one's dashboard. The cross was a means of execution, a torture stake, a mark of shame. Christ bore His cross first, therefore He expects of His people to do the same.
In the garden, Christ's head shed sweat and blood as He prayed to heavenly Father. In pain and agony, He realized the price that He was about to pay for your sins and mine. Is it too much that He require that we "bear to sweat a bit for Christ"?
But on a more personal note, isn't that the theme of New Testament Christianity, losing all to gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8)? "Bearing the sweat" of ridicule, broken relationships, giving up pleasurable sinful living, false religion is only a small sacrifice compared the ultimate sacrifice that Christ offered at the cross (Hebrews 9:25-26). The Christian life is indeed diffficult to live (Matthew 7:13-14), but with God's help and care, it is possible (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Jesus demands that His followers be prepared to give up the "comfort zones" of life in order to serve Him. He is not pleased with a religion that does not require self-denial and sacrifice. One pre-requisite to following Christ is to deny self and take up one's cross daily (Luke 9:23-26). In the first century Roman Empire, a cross was not a symbol to wear around one's neck or an ornament to place above one's dashboard. The cross was a means of execution, a torture stake, a mark of shame. Christ bore His cross first, therefore He expects of His people to do the same.
In the garden, Christ's head shed sweat and blood as He prayed to heavenly Father. In pain and agony, He realized the price that He was about to pay for your sins and mine. Is it too much that He require that we "bear to sweat a bit for Christ"?
Friday, April 13, 2007
My Sisters, God's Daughters
They don't seek out for human glory,
but give their all to God in humility.
They don't speak out on social issues,
but speak up in Bible class.
They don't sing the songs of the world,
but sing songs of praise to their Father,
They don't wear the latest fashion trends,
but in quiet modesty profess godliness.
They teach their children to be courteous.
They wash their husbands' clothes,
They wake up early and stay up late,
Because to God they fulfill their righteous oaths.
Without these women, where would the church be?
For these Christian women make the best black eye peas!
But their worth is not in their food, fashion, or flowers,
but in their relationship with their Father.
They are daughters of the Most High......I am proud that they are my sisters.
Note: Many people look down on churches of Christ because of our stance on the role of women. However, it is not our stance, but it is God's (1 Timothy 2:9-14; 1 Corinthians 14:34). Women in churches of Christ are held in high esteem. Without women, there would be no overseers or deacons (1 Timothy 3:2, 12). Without women, there would have been no Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15). Christian women are of great value as mothers and keepers of the home (Titus 2:4-6). Every faithful Christian can attest to the wonderful influence of at least one godly woman in their life. I know that I would not be the person I am today without all the righteous women in my life. I am indeed grateful for them and their work.
but give their all to God in humility.
They don't speak out on social issues,
but speak up in Bible class.
They don't sing the songs of the world,
but sing songs of praise to their Father,
They don't wear the latest fashion trends,
but in quiet modesty profess godliness.
They teach their children to be courteous.
They wash their husbands' clothes,
They wake up early and stay up late,
Because to God they fulfill their righteous oaths.
Without these women, where would the church be?
For these Christian women make the best black eye peas!
But their worth is not in their food, fashion, or flowers,
but in their relationship with their Father.
They are daughters of the Most High......I am proud that they are my sisters.
Note: Many people look down on churches of Christ because of our stance on the role of women. However, it is not our stance, but it is God's (1 Timothy 2:9-14; 1 Corinthians 14:34). Women in churches of Christ are held in high esteem. Without women, there would be no overseers or deacons (1 Timothy 3:2, 12). Without women, there would have been no Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15). Christian women are of great value as mothers and keepers of the home (Titus 2:4-6). Every faithful Christian can attest to the wonderful influence of at least one godly woman in their life. I know that I would not be the person I am today without all the righteous women in my life. I am indeed grateful for them and their work.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Holy Holy Holy
Some say that love is God's chief attribute.
Obviously the seraphim disagreed.
In the temple, they did not say "love love love".
Others may say that God's chief attribute is justice.
Obviously, the seraphim disagreed.
You see, in the temple, they did no say "justice times three".
Some hold to the view that grace is God's chief attribute.
Obviously the seraphim disagreed.
In the temple, they did not shout "grace, grace, grace".
"So", you may ask, "what is God's chief attribute?"
On this the seraphs did agree.
With their lips they proclaimed, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!"
Note: Jehovah is a God of love (1 John 4:8), justice (Psalm 9:7), and grace (Titus 2:11-12). His holiness and righteousness are emphasized in Isaiah 6:1-8. In that particular passage, the heavenly host announced His holiness not once, but three times! Some like to downplay God's holiness, but it is indeed unavoidable.
Obviously the seraphim disagreed.
In the temple, they did not say "love love love".
Others may say that God's chief attribute is justice.
Obviously, the seraphim disagreed.
You see, in the temple, they did no say "justice times three".
Some hold to the view that grace is God's chief attribute.
Obviously the seraphim disagreed.
In the temple, they did not shout "grace, grace, grace".
"So", you may ask, "what is God's chief attribute?"
On this the seraphs did agree.
With their lips they proclaimed, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!"
Note: Jehovah is a God of love (1 John 4:8), justice (Psalm 9:7), and grace (Titus 2:11-12). His holiness and righteousness are emphasized in Isaiah 6:1-8. In that particular passage, the heavenly host announced His holiness not once, but three times! Some like to downplay God's holiness, but it is indeed unavoidable.
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