I can only share what I have come to believe about this. Many disagree with me, and I’m still learning. I’ll share a bit about myself. I was born again in an ultra-conservative church. No jewelry, not even wedding bands, no television, no shorts on men, sleeves had to be long on male and female, neck line no lower than the collar bones, skirts/dresses no higher than two inches about the ankle (mid shin was acceptable at times), no non-Christian music, had to pay tithes to be in “good standing”, 5% offering STRONGLY encouraged, no colored shirts… men had to wear white button up shirts (long sleeve and must have pocket), no make-up, no cutting hair for women, hair had to be blocked on men (tapered was considered risky), no motorcycles, … I could go on, and on, and on. I eventually left that church for a more moderate church with standards on much of the above, just more well balanced. I faced a storm in my life that drove me from the church into a very personal walk. I dropped all “standards of men” and embraced the Ten Commandments. This led to a desire for Sabbath keeping. God began to deal with me…even striving to keep the Ten Commandments was legalism.
This may shock many. But God’s desire for each and every one of us is NOT to make us “good Pentecostals” or “good Baptists” or “good whatever’s” so that we can go to Heaven. God’s goal isn’t even to make you a “good person” or even a “better person”. This is a tragic misunderstanding among most Christians that I know. God’s singular desire is that you be conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus in your very person. Following all the rules of a pastor, church, denomination, or religion will only conform you into the image of that pastor, church, denomination, or religion. All the rules in the world will not conform you into the likeness of Jesus. Jesus is the true Christian’s standard. We are to become ever increasingly like Him in all things. This is done through our spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit.
You see, when you were born again, God’s Spirit filled your entire being. Not like water fills a glass…but like water fills a sponge. The Holy Spirit began to permeate your very being at the spiritual level. Now, you’re human spirit is “merged” with the very Spirit of God. Just as Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him, now He (through the Spirit) resides in you. You are one with God as Christ was. Your sins atoned by his blood. The wrath that is rightfully yours was propitiated by His suffering and death upon the cross. So you are deemed sinless and worthy to be one with God, through Christ Jesus, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Now, you must cultivate that union with Christ via the Spirit until He fills your heart, thoughts, and actions. This is dawning the mind of Christ. You are to become a manifestation of Jesus in you. Just as I am becoming a manifestation of Jesus in me. We now are sons of God. Through this union we partake in the divine nature. The natural result are spiritual gifts and a hunger and thirst for righteousness. However, the soul (mind) must be renewed through the study of the Word of God. Your body will be glorified later at the resurrection. Until then, you struggle with the works of the flesh that desire to rise up in you. However, if this union with Christ is cultivated…you will bear the fruit of the Spirit which are:
love
joy
peace
longsuffering
gentleness
goodness
faith
meekness
temperance
Notice, I’ve not spoken about “law keeping”, “standards”, or “rule keeping”. Are there rules to the Christian life? YES! Jesus explained that the entire law and the prophets are founded upon two fundamental principles. These two principles are commandments that we are expected to keep. These commandments are greater than any law or standard, and they require far more. The first is that we are to love God with all our being. The second is that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. That’s all. You might ask about the Ten Commandments. Well… they are insufficient to conform you into the image of Jesus. Why? Because while the Law commands you not to have other gods, worship idols, blaspheme, neglect worship, dishonor parents, lie, steal, commit adultery, kill, or covet… you can do all those things without loving. I might easily choose not to steal from my neighbor…but that doesn’t mean that I love them. However, if I love them… I’ll not steal from them. If I love God I will not have other gods, idols, blaspheme, or neglect worship. So the Ten Commandments are fulfilled in this one word… love.
What about standards? Certainly we must be modest right? Yes. But a dress code doesn’t produce modesty. Modesty is far deeper. I’ve known very immodest women wear modest clothing. Again the key is love. If you love your neighbor you will not dress in an offensive or tempting manner. You will not wear anything that would be offensive or tempting. Allow the Holy Ghost to check your spirit about things. So we have no dress codes, dietary codes, Ten Commandments, or standards. We are called to love. And to love liberally and unconditionally. We are to love the unloveable. We are to even love our enemies.
Why? Because in this we become like Jesus.
I pray that answers your questions.
Linear Mode
