I found myself marveling at today’s church’s take on what’s happening to the congregation. I object strongly to what appears to me to be a very worldly church. I’m talking about churches that used to be spirit-filled. I’m talking about churches that are still trying to follow the Bible.
On several occasions I have verbalized my objection to the way people are dressed in churches today, especially the lack of modesty among the girls and women, and I was promptly corrected for my wrong attitude. I already did two articles on dress that is not what this one is intended to be about. This is about the church’s attitude toward any criticism of the modern church.
The response I’ve been getting to my remark about how people at church are dressed is standard. It is “Well, you have to give people time to learn how to dress.” or something similar. I reply, ”I’m talking about how Christians are dressing, not the world.” I get “that look” and they reply, “Maybe God hasn’t been able to teach them in that area yet. They are God’s children and He will develop them in His timing. He sees them as the finished product not how faulty they are today.” or “You’re talking about the bride of Christ, He’ll get them ready in His timing.”
That part about giving God time to teach them won’t fly, because I see more and more Christians, (some who were taught how to dress and why, years ago) dressing in the shameful worldly fashion of today. For those of you who would point out that fashion has caused Christians to dress immodestly in the past also, I say, they too were back-slidden.
Then there were others who reacted with; “I’m sure God is not going to judge people by how they are dressed.” or “It’s not important how people dress it’s that they are there to worship God.” My answer to that is, “Maybe not, but He does care about whether we are considering others and whether we are putting a stumbling block it their path or not.” And how you dress is a part of your worship--your whole mind-set and lifestyle are a part of your worship. That’s my point.
My motive in all of this is not to find fault, but I’m coming from a genuine concern for the church. I care what the church looks like, I care what she says, and I care how she acts. I will show you from scripture that how she conducts herself is very important to the her whole function and reason for her being here.
Right conduct and deportment are a powerful witness:
1Tim: 2:9-10: In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10: But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
(I do not use this verse to insist upon a Jewish outlook toward women. I am using the verse to show that the Christian manner for women should be modesty, humility, consideration, and kindness, not one of flaunting you feminine attributes, being bold in your body language, showing no consideration for those who may be hurt by bold flaunting females, and behaving the opposite of what godliness is described as in the Bible.)
1Tim:3:2-15: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5: (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7: Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11: Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14: These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Titus:2:3-4: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4: That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
The church is to be prudent in conduct that the name of the Lord be not blasphemed:
1Tim: 6:1: Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Titus: 2:5: To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
(Notice the mindset in the above answers--don’t mess in God’s business--don’t criticize God’s kids. Those who come back at you with a defensive answer instead of agreeing that the appearances and behavior of Christians has deteriorated tremendously, have been taught to think that way. It’s almost as if the church folk have more reverence for their concept that they are God’s kids, or that they are the body of Christ, or that they are the bride of Christ--touch them not--than they have reverence for God and Christ. What do I mean? Below are some scriptures that lead me to believe the church is supposed to be holy.)
Matt:5:14-16: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matt:5:27-30: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29: And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matt:7:12: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Do you women like your husband looking at women who are dressed in a manner that stirs up their testosterone? Society would have you believe that dressing that way makes you look attractive, but the truth is it’s not the right kind of attracting. It’s the kind that leads to trouble and problems not the kind of attractiveness that is a attribute. Think about it! Many Christian men have enough trouble keeping their minds pure without this!)
Matt:7:13-14: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (The way to life is straight and narrow--this manner of dressing is of the broad way.)
2Cor:6:14-18: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15: And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16: And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18: And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
There are many more verses that I could use to try to get you to see that we are not supposed to think like the world and we are not supposed to look like the world. I hope you are beginning to grasp how important our whole manner of life is? And can you see that Christians are giving people more space and God’s Word less reverence?
The church needs to step back and see how God handles things in the Bible and then do the same. The plans is:
Repent and turn from your ways to God’s way.
Ask God’s forgiveness and ask Jesus into your heart.
Know that you are entering into Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection. You are now dead to the world and alive in Christ and subject to His Spirit within you.
Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom:12:1-2)
Where in God’s teaching does He give new Christians the opportunity to continue in the world until He can drag or coax them out of it, one step, one issue at a time?
You want to reverence the body of Christ? His body is led by His Spirit.
You want to reverence the bride of Christ? She is spotless because she is washed by the water of the word and sanctified by the truth. (Eph:5:26-27, Jn:17:15-17)
On several occasions I have verbalized my objection to the way people are dressed in churches today, especially the lack of modesty among the girls and women, and I was promptly corrected for my wrong attitude. I already did two articles on dress that is not what this one is intended to be about. This is about the church’s attitude toward any criticism of the modern church.
The response I’ve been getting to my remark about how people at church are dressed is standard. It is “Well, you have to give people time to learn how to dress.” or something similar. I reply, ”I’m talking about how Christians are dressing, not the world.” I get “that look” and they reply, “Maybe God hasn’t been able to teach them in that area yet. They are God’s children and He will develop them in His timing. He sees them as the finished product not how faulty they are today.” or “You’re talking about the bride of Christ, He’ll get them ready in His timing.”
That part about giving God time to teach them won’t fly, because I see more and more Christians, (some who were taught how to dress and why, years ago) dressing in the shameful worldly fashion of today. For those of you who would point out that fashion has caused Christians to dress immodestly in the past also, I say, they too were back-slidden.
Then there were others who reacted with; “I’m sure God is not going to judge people by how they are dressed.” or “It’s not important how people dress it’s that they are there to worship God.” My answer to that is, “Maybe not, but He does care about whether we are considering others and whether we are putting a stumbling block it their path or not.” And how you dress is a part of your worship--your whole mind-set and lifestyle are a part of your worship. That’s my point.
My motive in all of this is not to find fault, but I’m coming from a genuine concern for the church. I care what the church looks like, I care what she says, and I care how she acts. I will show you from scripture that how she conducts herself is very important to the her whole function and reason for her being here.
Right conduct and deportment are a powerful witness:
1Tim: 2:9-10: In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10: But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
(I do not use this verse to insist upon a Jewish outlook toward women. I am using the verse to show that the Christian manner for women should be modesty, humility, consideration, and kindness, not one of flaunting you feminine attributes, being bold in your body language, showing no consideration for those who may be hurt by bold flaunting females, and behaving the opposite of what godliness is described as in the Bible.)
1Tim:3:2-15: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3: Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4: One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5: (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7: Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8: Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9: Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10: And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11: Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14: These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Titus:2:3-4: The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4: That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
The church is to be prudent in conduct that the name of the Lord be not blasphemed:
1Tim: 6:1: Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Titus: 2:5: To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
(Notice the mindset in the above answers--don’t mess in God’s business--don’t criticize God’s kids. Those who come back at you with a defensive answer instead of agreeing that the appearances and behavior of Christians has deteriorated tremendously, have been taught to think that way. It’s almost as if the church folk have more reverence for their concept that they are God’s kids, or that they are the body of Christ, or that they are the bride of Christ--touch them not--than they have reverence for God and Christ. What do I mean? Below are some scriptures that lead me to believe the church is supposed to be holy.)
Matt:5:14-16: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15: Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matt:5:27-30: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29: And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matt:7:12: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (Do you women like your husband looking at women who are dressed in a manner that stirs up their testosterone? Society would have you believe that dressing that way makes you look attractive, but the truth is it’s not the right kind of attracting. It’s the kind that leads to trouble and problems not the kind of attractiveness that is a attribute. Think about it! Many Christian men have enough trouble keeping their minds pure without this!)
Matt:7:13-14: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (The way to life is straight and narrow--this manner of dressing is of the broad way.)
2Cor:6:14-18: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15: And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16: And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18: And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
There are many more verses that I could use to try to get you to see that we are not supposed to think like the world and we are not supposed to look like the world. I hope you are beginning to grasp how important our whole manner of life is? And can you see that Christians are giving people more space and God’s Word less reverence?
The church needs to step back and see how God handles things in the Bible and then do the same. The plans is:
Repent and turn from your ways to God’s way.
Ask God’s forgiveness and ask Jesus into your heart.
Know that you are entering into Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection. You are now dead to the world and alive in Christ and subject to His Spirit within you.
Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom:12:1-2)
Where in God’s teaching does He give new Christians the opportunity to continue in the world until He can drag or coax them out of it, one step, one issue at a time?
You want to reverence the body of Christ? His body is led by His Spirit.
You want to reverence the bride of Christ? She is spotless because she is washed by the water of the word and sanctified by the truth. (Eph:5:26-27, Jn:17:15-17)
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