Is Holiness a Lifestyle
Holiness is being right with God as righteousness is being right with man. I believe true holiness will reflect godly character and a different lifestyle than the world, but a character that comes from the heart of one destitute of his or her own righteousness, looking wholly to the one whom is the source. Jesus the living incarnate Word of God.
We are living in an era of ultrasensitive “tolerance” for every lifestyle under the sun. Our nation’s underlying philosophy of “moral relativism” dictates that one set of beliefs is every bit as valid as another. What you believe is “truth for you,” and what I believe is “truth for me,” and woe to me if I question the validity of your “truth”! That’s a philosophy that takes people to hell every day.
Only one truth saves. Only one gospel brings eternal life. There is only one escape from hell. We need to go to men and women and children with the precious gospel of Jesus Christ and declare His love for them. The same gospel that worked in your parents’ generation will work today because, as Paul put it, “it is the power of God unto salvation.” It is eternally relevant. It still changes lives.
Does the Bible address lifestyle as in dress, hair, tattoos, differences of opinion, modesty and other important issues? The answer to that question is yes.
| 1.Biblical and Personal Convictions | 3.Modest Apparel |
| 2.Modesty |
1. Biblical and Personal Convictions
Biblical convictions come from the Bible.
Godly principles from the Word of God. Sin is
transgression of the law (1
We are called to be holy for He is holy (1 Pet 1:15, 16). God our father is holy and we as His children are to take upon His likeness.
(1Pe 1:15,16) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Notice the word in
The Bible does clearly spells some things out. Such as we find in
All scripture OT and NT
is given to help us in this walk of faith to Please God. It’s important to note
that Paul in 2 Timothy is writing to exhort him to be faithful to the Gospel
message, guard its truth and follow Paul’s example. It’s also important to
note Paul is not talking about justification, but demonstration of the
Gospel and the pure words of Jesus!
Luke 14:34-35 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Salt-In the ancient world, was used as a seasoning and as a preservative. The salt came mostly from salt marshes in the area southwest of the Dead Sea. This impure salt was susceptible to deterioration and could lose its flavor, leaving only useless crystals fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. Such salt was simply thrown away. Jesus’ question “How can its saltiness be restored?” did not require an answer—for once salt has deteriorated, nothing is left but worthless residue.
Many Christians blend into the world and avoid the cost of standing up for Christ. But Jesus says if Christians lose their distinctive saltiness, they become worthless. Just as salt flavors and preserves food, Christ’s disciples are to preserve the good in the world, help keep it from spoiling, and bring new flavor to life.
Enoch Pleased God by Spiritually Focusing His
Life
In our modern day, when things that used to be taboo for Christians are now part of the accepted lifestyle, I hear people asking, “Should I do this?” “Should I do that?” The primary question to ask is, “Does this please God?” We can bring all of our discussions on ethics, values, morality, and standards to bear on all the questions of our lives. Ultimately, we have to arrive at a decision which pleases God or we haven’t arrived at the right decision. And often, it would be easier if we just started there.
Parenting has never been harder than it is today. Children today are exposed to the entire world of adult images and influences. Children are being raised by day care workers, and their minds are being shaped by Hollywood. Pornography, rock music and compromised lifestyles are available via television, internet, and the VCR in every home. We need Bible convictions in our homes and daily lives.
Personal Convictions
- Whatever is not of faith is sin. We are either walking in
faith and in the light, or in darkness, unbelief, and doubt (Rom 14:22,23, and
If we do not have personal convictions of faith that lead to
godliness we are not saved.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and
he cannot sin, because he is born of God (1
There some things I'm willing to argue over and even die for. Such as my witness for Jesus, the resurrection from the dead, heaven and hell and most importantly salvation only through Jesus. Some major in the minors and minor in the majors. There have always been disagreements’concerning trivial matters with believers. Although some disagreements are understandable in that the Church is made up of people from many backgrounds, nationalities, and personalities, and the Bible is silent in some areas of life.
I glad to say though the Bible does deal with personal convictions. I've met people who would not even play a guitar again because in their past life they used it for the devil in night clubs ext and their is other area's that some just don't feel comfortable doing. Let God deal with them and teach them he is able to keep them. On the other hand their is those who go farther and insist their convictions upon others and even hurt the faith of the weak. In Romans Chapter 14 we find a bitter dispute between the Jewish and Gentile Christian concerning eating meat and observing certain days such as the Sabbath. The Jewish Christians had a very legalistic background worshiping on Saturday the Sabbath, observing certain days and eating only kosher foods. The Gentiles never had to worry about diets and days. The first church council in history debated the issue of the relationship of the Christian to the Law (Acts 15). Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome saying receive one another, and stop fighting. Then went on to give them a Biblical perspective.
Receive One Another (Rom. 14:1-12)
Paul was addressing those who were “strong in the faith,” that is, those who understood their spiritual liberty in Christ and were not enslaved to diets or holy days. The “weak in faith” were immature believers who felt obligated to obey legalistic rules concerning what they ate and when they worshiped. The weak Christians were judging and condemning the strong Christians, and the strong Christians were despising the weak Christians.
“Recieve one another!” was Paul’s first admonition; and he gave four reasons why they should.
God has received us (vs. 1-3).
Because God has received us, we must receive one another. We must not argue over these matters, nor must we judge or despise one another.
The issue is not who is right or wrong but that God has received them. It's very important to notice verses 5-9. If a person regards a certain day he does it unto the lord or certain food he eats it as unto the lord. So what is it that sanctifies the day or the food or what we allow or disallow, it’s a personal faith unto the Lord. So Paul says to receive him or her, why because God has received them.
God sustains His own (v. 4).
The strong Christian was judged by the weak Christian, and this Paul condemned because it was wrong for the weak Christian to take the place of God in the life of the strong Christian. God is the Master; the Christian is the servant. It is wrong for anyone to interfere with this relationship.
It is encouraging to know that our success in the Christian life does not depend on the opinions or attitudes of other Christians. God is the Judge, and He is able to make us stand.
Jesus Christ is Lord (vv. 5-9).
The word “Lord” is found eight times in these verses. No Christian has the right to “play God” in another Christian’s life. We can pray, advise, and even admonish, but we cannot take the place of God.
Some standards and practices in our local churches are traditional but not necessarily scriptural. Years ago some dedicated Christians opposed Christian radio “because Satan was the prince of the power of the air!” I can understand that, but there's some things I can't understand. There's nothing wrong with listening to the radio as long as it's godly, but to say to another brother they're not spiritual because their belt buckle is to big is simply not right. Some say if you wear a tie you're not spiritual I receive him as a brother, but I do not receive there conviction about ties. There'll always be those who take scripture out of context or go to extremes that we should not receive as Bible truths. Some will never change in there convictions so there's no use in arguing with them. There settled in there pet peeves' so let em alone, its not a salvation issue. There's many around us that are concerned with finding real truth and following Jesus, major on them, preach Jesus and making Him Lord!
An interesting illustration of this truth is given in John 21:15-25. Jesus had restored Peter to his place as an apostle, and once again He told him, “Follow Me.” Peter began to follow Christ, but then he heard someone walking behind him. It was the Apostle John.
Then Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, what shall this man do?”
Notice the Lord’s reply: “What is that to thee? Follow thou Me!” In other words, “Peter, you make sure you have made Me Lord of your life. Let Me worry about John.”
Paul said
to the Christians
in
Jesus Christ is Judge (vv. 10-12).
Paul asked the weak Christian, “Why are you judging your brother?” Then he asked the strong Christian, “Why are you despising your brother?” Both strong and weak must stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and they will not judge each other—they will be judged by the Lord.
We will not be judged for sin, because Jesus paid for our sin on the Cross. But our service unto the Lord must be pure. With a faith and conscience undefiled before God and man. The fact that our sins will never be brought up against us should not encourage us to disobey God. Sin in our lives keeps us from serving Christ as we should, and this means loss of reward. Paul was stressing the principle of lordship—make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life. Be fully persuaded in your own mind for we all will give account individually before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
In the next chapter Rom 15:1-7 Paul includes himself with the strong in faith and gives instructions so that there liberty would not turn into abuses. We must not become a stumbling block to our brother pleasing ourselves but rather do everything for the good and edification of others. He went on to say in verse three that even Christ pleased not himself. The sacrifice of Christ is set forth as an example of denying himself for His Church and that we ought to be willing to do so also. Jesus died for us and we also ought to be willing to die for the brethren if need be. Paul said in 1 Cor 8:17 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Can we say that?
The lesson we learn is to grow in faith, walk in love and to make Jesus Lord of everything in our lives.
2. Modesty
The Bible speaks of modesty, and humility. Shame is something of the past.
The family is under attack by the enemy, and unless we set up some rules, and guidelines for protection. The family as God has ordained it will come to an end. Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom (Gen 3:12). We know the story how that he and his family ended up in Sodom. How he lost his wife and children because of the influence there. He became a mockery even to his own family when trying to tell of the judgment of God that was coming. His wife looked back, and was turned to a pillar of salt, and later his two daughters proved they were far from virgins (Gen 19:24-26 and 19:36). We must draw lines in our hearts and homes to be a good example, and keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27). I believe our home aught to be a sanctuary a place of refuge from the ungodly values we face everyday to the best of our ability. After I got saved things changed in my life. I had a love for others and for Gods Word, but also my lifestyle changed. My media, music, who I ran with, and where I went, changed when God saved me. I believe we should all have biblical standards, and convictions (1 Tim 3:5, Matt 5:17-20) in our homes, and lives. Biblical convictions will always have to do with purity, modesty, and humility. Every Christian home should set up some biblical principles, and guidelines, and discuss them through. Children need to be taught, and nurtured with clear teachings and principles in the Bible, Then enforce the rules that are given in the home. Young people really want boundaries, it speaks of care, love, and protection from there parent's heart, and only through time will they see, and appreciate it.
Turn the channel buy the filters do whatever it takes to make the PC safe. Go the extra mile for your family. Understand the danger, and power of influence uncontrolled! Discuss the media you allow and do not allow giving Biblical principles and if you do not know the answer have a family study on the subject. I believe at least once a week the Christian home should have family devotions, studies and talks. If we do what we can God will be faithful to sanctifying us in Christ through faith.
I believe the Internet is just as bad as the TV or worse and I do own a PC as is evident, but Be careful! David Frost said" Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your home". Do what you can to make a difference in your home, family and relationships. Know the Word of God, study to show yourselves approved unto God. The internet will drag you and I into hell as quick as the TV will don't allow devils to entertain your families mind and spirit!!!!!
(1Ti 2:8-10)
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.Shamefacedness- This word is only used twice - (1 Tim 2:9, and Hebrew 12:28) - (It has the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, that is, towards men, speaking of modesty in 1Tim 2:9. Towards God awe, and reverence in (Hebrews 12:28). The same word is used in both scriptures according to Strong's Hebrew, and Greek Dictionary.
Human nature hasn't changed in men or women. The apostle is dealing with a problem they had then, and we have today. A lack of purity, and fidelity. Men are to pray, and women are to dress in modest apparel. I preached in a Church years ago that actually had a woman on the platform in shorts. The house of God is to be a place of worship, respect, honor, and prayer to God. This is to our shame that it would be so in the house of the living God. Godliness has to do with the purity of our heart, and life, behavior denoting character and conduct determined by the principle of love and fear of God. It has to do with our conversation, mode of living, and morals. As Peter said, be ye holy in all conversation 1 Peter 1:15.
The elder women are to teach the younger concerning God's ways and home life (Titus 2:1-5).
That they may teach the young women to be sober - Margin, “wise” - The meaning is, that they should instruct them to have their desires and passions well regulated, or under proper control. Albert Barns Notes on the Bible. It was to discipline, train to think and act soberly, discreetly, and in moderation. To correct, teach, encouraging self-control, and self-discipline (Tit_2:4).
Many in the Church today go to one extreme or to another, but I believe that Paul writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:8-10 gives balance. Modest apparel speaks of having moderation which speaks of restraint and control. Jezebel was a women in rebellion to God and it showed in her apparel. Not only in the way she dressed and made herself up, but also in her attitude and life which God judged (2 Kings 9:30-36). Paul is writing concerning both, and how one will effect the other. Our outward actions will effect the inward attitude, and through time the whole disposition will change. In context Paul is speaking of the worship service and what is proper of men and woman.
I believe God understands a woman 's desire to look good for her husband or for her future husband, but many woman today professing Christianity are immodest, excessive in some areas and revealing in there clothing. Godly principles need to be applied such as apparel that is to revealing, or tight, or wearing excessive make up and costly jewelry is not befitting a woman professing godliness. In Greek society at the time Paul wrote to Timothy there were women whose whole life consisted in elaborate dressing and braiding of the hair with gold and silver. Even the Greeks and the Romans were shocked at the love of dress and of adornment which characterized some of their women. Paul is clearly dealing with excessiveness, and extremes. Christians need to learn balance!
I'll never forget seeing the dilemma of a young lady who had just gotten saved. I was on a Christian web-site and she had posted her problem about how now that she was saved she didn't feel right about putting on her bathing suit and going out to the pool with her husband. I'll never forgot the urgency in her message how that before it didn't bother her but now she didn't know how to tell her husband. She was sincere, honest, and open about how she felt after being saved and having to deal with her husband who might not understand. I remember also reading that her husband had also recently gotten saved and I couldn't understand how he might not understand? To a saved husband this should have been a no brainer, but it goes to show us how difficult the days we are living in, and the need for Biblical teaching. The Spirit of God had changed this young lady and was dealing with her about true holiness and a pure heart, modesty. That which is befitting of a woman professing godliness and good works.
This
truth still stands
for us in
Conclusion-The Incompatibility of Your Lifestyle with the World’s
Once you become a Christian, immediately you are out of sync with everything. We are unique as Christians. A. W. Tozer puts it this way: “The real Christian is an odd human being anyway. The Christian feels supreme love for One he has never seen. He talks every day with somebody he can’t see. He expects to go to heaven on the virtue of somebody else. He empties himself in order to be full. He admits he is wrong so he can be declared right. He goes down in order to get up. He’s strongest when he’s weakest, richest when he’s poorest, happiest when he feels the worst. He died so he can live. He forsakes in order to have. He gives away so he can keep. He sees the invisible, hears the inaudible and knows that which passeth knowledge.”
This is why the spiritual part of you is struggling with the part which is still flesh. You’re incompatible. And it isn’t going to get any better.
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