I know what conservatives teach. I went to a conservative UPC church for 4 years and I obeyed them that had the rule over me as unto the Lord.
Dan, what was Paul's answer to them that believed they couldn't eat meat? He didn't condemn them nor did he tell them that they had to eat meat. He explained what He believed from the Lord. But then, interestingly he said he would eat no meat so as not to offend his weaker brother. Paul didn't shove his liberty (to eat meat) in the other's face. There is an attitude of the heart that is important here. I believe
Romans 14 can be applied to holiness standards.
Here's another example: Say a newly born again brother works out, stays in good physical shape and is very muscular. He usually wears short sleeved or no sleeved shirts but has noticed women commenting on his physique. He feels like he is distracting to women, maybe even a to the point of temptation to women and feels that he should wear long sleeves so as not to be a hinderance to the sisters in the church. Maybe he even feels the Spirit of the Lord in leading him to wear long sleeves. Now an older saint who is not as well built wears short sleeves and in no way feels like he is attracting undue attention to himself and continues to wear short sleeves shirts. Maybe things are not as cut and dry as you want them to be. But neither brother should enforce their view on the other.
Dan, read
Romans 14 carefully.
1
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things:
another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike.
Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15
But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.
Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Dan, we need to support our weaker brothers.
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