My goal for starting this thread was to get feedback as to whether I have taken this standard for granted, and whether or not I need to reevaluate it. I don't have a wife, but I hope to continue to be used to teach GOD's Word, and when this topic comes up (which it comes up A LOT when people find out I am an OP) I want to have an answer.
-Bro. Alex
Bro Alex, when I'm asked about my dress, I generally just laugh or brush it off. If they are curious about church, they'll pursue the topic, and then I witness about God, not dress. I may start with "well, I love God. At work, I dress to represent my employer. In life, I dress in a way that I think God would appreciate. Think its working? " If they ask doesn't everyone at church wear dresses, I pause and say, "no, none of our men do, I don't think..." and then laugh and ask if they'd like to come with me sometime. Then I leave it open if they'd like to talk about God or church. I have been yelled at up the street and called "skirt girl" and I turn, smile, and wave. When people at work comment, I tell them that this is just me, skirts are more comfortable for me, cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter (because in the summer closer clothes hold heat in, whereas skirts are breezy and keep you shaded, and in winter you can wear more clothes without being noticed as doing so), and in representing God I feel I should dress my best. People have commented that I won't be able to do this or that, and I generally come back with a way quite quickly... can't do a quality check at this site because a skirt is a hazard around equipment-well, would I be walking? wouldn't I be in a golf cart? can't swim-who says? I do swim, just not with many guys around, and I always have swum with more clothes on than most because I burn quite easily, etc. A few of those types of answers and people just accept that this is who I am, or that I am not going to discuss my clothes when they are standing there dressed as they are (or aren't). Why should they think of my clothes all the time? They don't ask someone else why they always wear t-shirts, why they don't wear their waistband at their waist (or how they can possibly work, walk or even think while continually holding their pants up), why they have their ears quadruple pierced, why they have tatoos up their arms, or why they have a tongue ring... so why is my choice of clothing so unusual that it should be a topic of discussion? Like everyone else in America, I have a right to dress in a way that I feel comfortable and which I feel best suits me. Generally they get this light bulb expression. Most don't seem to think any more of it. A few tease, but I tease them too, so we're even. Am I sidestepping the issue? Depends on what the real issue really is.
Last edited by missourimary; 06-24-2009 at 10:39 AM.
No, not in most circumstances-I haven't come across a time that I would yet. Sinners need to hear about who God is and the salvation message much more than they need to hear standards. Even a staunch UC OP believer will agree that a sinner with standards is still going to hell, and a sinner that starts carrying standards or a sinner that doesn't agree with the bible references made regarding standards will be much harder to win to God. Witnessing is telling people who Jesus is and how to know him (ie repentance, baptism in Jesus name, Holy Ghost). God called us to be witnesses, not debaters.
No, not in most circumstances-I haven't come across a time that I would yet. Sinners need to hear about who God is and the salvation message much more than they need to hear standards. Even a staunch UC OP believer will agree that a sinner with standards is still going to hell, and a sinner that starts carrying standards or a sinner that doesn't agree with the bible references made regarding standards will be much harder to win to God. Witnessing is telling people who Jesus is and how to know him (ie repentance, baptism in Jesus name, Holy Ghost). God called us to be witnesses, not debaters.
Sadly enough, it's implied to the women that they aren't quite saved until they change their closet around. I've seen it happen like that so often.
The reason why sinners don't believe scriptures that (supposedly) have to do with standards is because those verses don't say what's claimed. For instance, no such scripture you will find that mentions it being wrong for women to cut their hair, to wear makeup, to wear jewelry, and to wear pants. NONE.
So I can't blame them for not believing it. It makes them wonder if anything else being told to them as 'Biblical' is credible.
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
It is implied in some circles that women should change their wardrobes. Not everywhere. Different people and different churches interpret those scriptures differently. Of course, God asks that our entire lives change-we become Christ centered rather than self centered. We put off the old man and put on the new. We are crucified with Christ and buried with him in baptism.
Whether someone does or doesn't dress a certain way isn't mine to answer. Whether I've told them there is hope for them is.
It is implied in some circles that women should change their wardrobes. Not everywhere. Different people and different churches interpret those scriptures differently. Of course, God asks that our entire lives change-we become Christ centered rather than self centered. We put off the old man and put on the new. We are crucified with Christ and buried with him in baptism.
Whether someone does or doesn't dress a certain way isn't mine to answer. Whether I've told them there is hope for them is.
Excellent words!
__________________
I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
" If they ask doesn't everyone at church wear dresses, I pause and say, "no, none of our men do, I don't think..." and then laugh and ask if they'd like to come with me sometime. Then I leave it open if they'd like to talk about God or church. I have been yelled at up the street and called "skirt girl" and I turn, smile, and wave. When people at work comment, I tell them that this is just me, skirts are more comfortable for me, cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter (because in the summer closer clothes hold heat in, whereas skirts are breezy and keep you shaded, and in winter you can wear more clothes without being noticed as doing so), and in representing God I feel I should dress my best. People have commented that I won't be able to do this or that, and I generally come back with a way quite quickly... can't do a quality check at this site because a skirt is a hazard around equipment-well, would I be walking? wouldn't I be in a golf cart? can't swim-who says? I do swim, just not with many guys around, and I always have swum with more clothes on than most because I burn quite easily, etc. A few of those types of answers and people just accept that this is who I am, or that I am not going to discuss my clothes when they are standing there dressed as they are (or aren't). Why should they think of my clothes all the time? They don't ask someone else why they always wear t-shirts, why they don't wear their waistband at their waist (or how they can possibly work, walk or even think while continually holding their pants up), why they have their ears quadruple pierced, why they have tatoos up their arms, or why they have a tongue ring... so why is my choice of clothing so unusual that it should be a topic of discussion? Like everyone else in America, I have a right to dress in a way that I feel comfortable and which I feel best suits me. Generally they get this light bulb expression. Most don't seem to think any more of it. A few tease, but I tease them too, so we're even. 
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