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As I chose the passage for today for myself, I did so deliberately. I considered making it a special "Easter" passage, but chose not to. For those of you who do, there is no condemnation from me on that. No, I understand that this day is very important in significance. However, for myself, this day is no different than any other in the fact that Christ's ressurection does not affect me only on this day.
Christ came to reconcile us to God, and on this day, I think we should think of reconciling ourselves to each other and even to the people in this world who are still lost. I do not say to take up their ways, but to give no offense to which they can say anything bad about christians.
It ammused me that this could bring my thoughts back to James. I had the occassion to stand before the assembly as a young christian and basically lay into the body for a sin that I saw. At that time in my life, I wore mostly flannel shirts and blue jeans. I worked construction (as a carpenter, no less) and these were the clothes I had. A brother, meaning well, I suppose, challenged me to wear better clothes to church, out of respect for the Lord. At the same time, there were some young ladies who dressed very provocatively and which would cause me to sin simply by seeing them. One sister in particular, whom I found very attractive, was the specific one I had in mind when I stood and confronted them. This passage from James was one of the main ones I used.
This woman was black. Now that may not seem significant to many of you, and Praise God if it is not for you. But for me, it is. I have mild prejudices myself in that area. I compensate. I am not color blind. But when I am aware of my situation in that way, I am, like Peter with the Gentiles, certain to examine my actions more closely because I am aware of that shortcoming of mine. Am I perfect in this? NO! However, I do feel that I do well enough to not pass this curse on to my children. My children, from my examination, seem to be color blind as of yet. My hope and prayer is that they can stay that way.
Lee mentioned braided hair in an off-handed way. I see the reference not to the particulars as much as to the aim of braided hair. It is to be more alluring. Modesty is the aim, I am certain, of that passage. Modesty is concern that you nt cause your brother to sin. I understand completely that some people are so completely comfortable with the human body that even outight nudity is not a problem for them. That does not mean that it is not for others.
In short, consider the possible effects on others before you act in your freedom.
Tommorow, (today as I post it) I plan to wear a suit. I wear it not because I must. Another may dress casually, and I will not judge even the slightest bit, of this I am certain, for I have no prejudices about that matter. Paul said something about being all things to all men so that he could win more over. I do not think that meant anything about compromising morals. His faith possibly allowed him to do more than I possibly could. My prayer should be that my faith become so great that like him, I could reach out to anyone. The CEO. The Satanist. The man living under the bridge. The clerk behind the counter in the store.
And this must all be done in faith. So my faith must grow.
Grow in Faith and Understanding,
Mel
2006-04-16 01:32:51 Posted by Mel ()
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I understand that this is more important for us to show to our brothers and sisters only in the way that I see it with my children. Last night, the older and younger one were fighting. The older one wanted the undivided attention of the younger one and was not getting it. When I went in, she threw an elbow into the chest of here little sister, which enraged me. I cuffed her hard out of anger. That was wrong, as far as I am concerned. The punishment was not, but the way it was done, was. This caused introspection on my part. Why did I do it? I came to realize that if this had been done to a visiting friend, I would have not reacted so. The root was that one that I loved dearly and specially was being hurt, and I intervened almost instantly.
I am not certain that is accurate to ascribe to God and how he feels about us hurting each other, but it is the best I can understand.
In Christ,
Mel
2006-04-16 01:43:59 Posted by Mel ()
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On a lighter note: Lee, if you want to braid your hair for your husband, or let him do it, I think I have enough faith to accept that without seeing anything wrong with it...
;'{P
2006-04-16 01:52:00 Posted by Mel ()
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Think I've already posted tis somewhere but I will do it again.
There was an old greybeard out for a ride Sunday morning. so he had on his jeans,t-shirt and boots. He decided to stop in at a church in an upper scale neighborhood for the service, which he enjoyed. He was thinking that it was a pretty nice church and figured he'd come back again soon. The pastor and another gentleman stopped him and talked with him on the way out. As they said goodbye the pastor shook his hand and said by the way this is church maybe before you come back you should talk with the Lord about what appropriate attire might be. He left and a couple weeks later he stopped back in wearing the same clothes. The pastor approached him and said I thought you were going to ask God what would be appropriate to wear before you came back. His response was I did and He told me He wasn't sure He'd never been here.
Be blessed
2006-04-16 03:43:07 Posted by Ross ()
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Your passages really have me pulling at ends. We are told not to judge anyone for things that they believe in (such as not eating meat etc) but we are also told to correct when needed. A very fine line I think. A place to where I hope one day I'll be able to fulfill both with the right frame of mind and the right heart. Something to aspire to.....
God Bless
2006-04-16 10:53:08 Posted by Lee ()
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I love Paul's line here. "Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died." Imagine stopping the work of the cross by eating the wrong meat, or judging their clothes, or hair.
2006-04-16 15:50:39 Posted by Jon ()
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Right, right and right.
Lee, I think the key is in what we are to correct and what we are not to correct. I seem to remember soemthing in Timothy about busybodies. Heart is a key to guide you there, I think...
Be Blessed,
Mel
2006-04-17 02:03:25 Posted by Mel ()
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