Old way of Holiness Standard do we need to keep?

[CAD/JPY]

<In response to old paths post, but not directly to them as a person>
Thank you for the good post. I am always open for reasonable discussion. I wish more of this could happen in our district conferences.

I do recognize that there are other examples in the Bible where people were strong, but they did not become prideful. My reason for referring to the example of Uzziah is because the scripture clearly says "his heart was lifted up". (II Chr. 26:16) If you read the text, he was basically told he was wrong and asked to leave. However, Uzziah's answer to the confrontation of his "inaccurate" spiritual beliefs was to become angry at the priests. It was while he was angry that he was smitten with leprosy! Had he not become angry, which was a result of pride in his heart, perhaps he would have felt repentance and quietly left the temple... thus allowing his "inaccurate" beliefs to be easily dealt with. However, the pride that was in his heart started a quest to become more religious, and the pride that was in his heart would not listen to the reason of the anointed priests as they referred to historic scripture and the will of God. When people become prideful, they often become more religious.

I understand your comments on modesty and the illustration of women perhaps immodestly exposing a part of their bodies that would be a stumbling block to a man. I have heard it said all my life "a pastor must draw a line". So I must make some comments on this:
What is wrong with allowing godly women in the church to feel after the Holy Ghost regarding what sleeve length is acceptable?
Why does a godly woman need the pastor to define those lines?
What are those poor men with the stumbling block issue going to do when we bring sinners to church??
Maybe a pastor should consider preaching about allowing the Holy Ghost to convict you on where to draw your lines... AND understanding that what God requires of you, may not be what he requires of me.

Which brings me to the example of Timothy being circumcised. Just for the record, if you read that passage, you will see that Paul asked Timothy to be circumcised after the Jerusalem meeting, but before they went through the cities to deliver "the decrees for to keep." (Acts 16:3-4) We have one example here that clearly demonstrates Paul's reasoning for this "physical standard" was cultural. It is stated clearly, "circumcised him because of the Jews". I would be careful with using this illustration as proof that a pastor can ask for non-biblical, "physical" standards of saints in the church, even if they are only cultural standards. Timothy was clearly leadership, he was going to be involved with delivering the letters that established the decree of non-circumcision, and also be preaching the Word. To take this example, and then apply that to saints in a church… well, I just think that is reaching pretty far.

I agree with your pastor. We shouldn’t be discussing holiness with visitors that we are trying to win to the Lord. But what do you tell people when they ask an intelligent question? Does this scare us that we might be putting a stumbling block before them, and if so WHY?

You make an interesting comment, and I quote “Jesus didn't teach about hair, women dressing modest, not the wearing of gold/silver etc. Why? Because they wouldn't be able to bear it BEFORE they get the Holy Ghost. But, at some point AFTER one is born again and grows in grace and in knowledge, they are going to learn the other things that Jesus wants and should be willing to obey and submit and do it for him to be pleasing and acceptable to him.”
Ok, this raises a serious question for me. IF that above statement is truth, then what about all the Holy Ghost filled people who haven’t been convicted with certain standards that we preach as gospel?
What about the new saints that come to church for months, and then years… and they don’t change? The woman wear pants, makeup and jewelry, and the men still own a television.
What about the ones who just don’t see it the way that some of us do? Aren’t they filled with the same Holy Ghost as I am??

For the record, I am not suggesting we throw holiness out the window in order to try and reach the lost.
I am suggesting we redefine our definition of what holiness truly is….
I am suggesting that we honestly and accurately research scripture….
I am suggesting that we not be scared to say “I’m wrong” or “We made a mistake.”…
I am suggesting that we accept that some things in the New Testament were clearly cultural issues, and the application of those examples for today is that we follow the same pattern when seeking answers to cultural issues that we face today….

I am suggesting that perhaps in our strength of having the truth and being blessed of God that we have become prideful in our "holiness standards" of outlying appearance... so much so, that we compromise the intention of the Word of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

I am suggesting that maybe we have taken some things a little too far...

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.