I recently heard a message by a high profile UPC speaker. If I called his name, all would know him.
He said this; I believe in our standards because they protect our inward holiness.
Now my question is this: How can outward fleshly standards of dress protect Christ within us? Can the flesh actually protect holiness?
I understand standards may protect our reputation or witness for Christ, but can they actually protect Christ?
Did not Jesus say it's not what comes from without that defiles, but what comes from within?
Should the flesh even be alive with Christ in us? Does not God's word teach us to mortify the flesh and its deeds? Romans 6?
I would appreciate your comments. God bless.
The only standard I know of that can protect anything is consistent prayer, reading the word and some fasting every now and then
__________________ Let it be understood that Apostolic Friends Forum is an Apostolic Forum.
Apostolic is defined on AFF as:
There is One God. This one God reveals Himself distinctly as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The Son is God himself in a human form or "God manifested in the flesh" (1Tim 3:16)
Every sinner must repent of their sins.
That Jesus name baptism is the only biblical mode of water baptism.
That the Holy Ghost is for today and is received by faith with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues.
The saint will go on to strive to live a holy life, pleasing to God.
Outward "standards" do absolutely NOTHING to protect inward holiness! Lord have mercy!! All one has to do is attend a GC and view all of the "painted on" ankle length dresses, which leave almost nothing to the imagination. Sorry for being so blunt, but it is the truth and most know it.
I've pastored for almost 25 yrs. 13 of which was a UPC church. My experience is that whether they are pants or long skirts, they have a tendency to be removed when there is no heart consecration. No holiness standard will EVER prevent that and never has.
Consecration is the ONLY deterrent for the "happy hormones!"
Inward holiness is only protected through a true relationship with Jesus Christ. Outside of that, it is just a whited wall! That is why so much "standard" preaching doesn't get the job done. Get them connected to a standard and they'll surely fall. Get them connected to Jesus and whether their hair is short or long, whether they wear a dress or slacks, make-up or not, and they will serve Him.
good post! the first part about GC makes me think of my husband (then fiance) when we went to a campmeeting service and he was still baptist. after we left he said "um...i thought the point of wearing skirts was partly b/c of modesty. some of the girls i saw tonight made me blush and turn my head away. they would've been more modest in a pair of pants." and he wasn't referring to visitors either. this should be a wakeup call to some. this was coming from an outsider at the time. sad...so many preachers will preach against pants and "worldly women" all the while some of our girls are wearing skirts that our 10x worse.
Linear Mode
