are not all those things of love for God defined by our acknowledgement of him BEFORE we do them that we may then surrender our will TO him IN LOVE that we might do HIS WILL to HIS glory .rather then walk in our own reasoning and will?
as the apostle said ... you say I will go here and there and buy and sell .. but you should say .."IF THE LORD WILLS" ..... that is simply to say before you run off etching your body -a part of the temple of the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus who has redeemed it (purchased it back )by his own blood and to whom our lives now belong -Or promote the action in others less spiritually mature , should We not FIRST acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and wait on him to know his will for each of us ?
of course we should .
but oh too many folks wish to do whatever they think is right, attempting to justify their action according to their own carnal reasoning .
on one hand they say" oh I do it to gods glory" and on the other they are saying "I don't care to know what my lord and saviors will is for me in this thing which "I" do ... one is a love from the lips(lip service) .. the other is a love willing to lay down what self desires in order to better please God rather then self .
A Christian can acknowledge the Lord with all their heart, glorify him, and build the foundation of their lives upon his word and still have a tattoo. Many choose tattoos that are significant to their faith. It depends on the intentions of their tattoo, the ramifications that tattoo could conceivably have in regards to one's employment or school, and whether it is appropriate and respectful for the setting they are in. Getting a visible tattoo when it is prohibited by your employers, getting one as a minor when it is prohibited by your parents, or getting one that could be deemed offensive to those in your community would be egocentric and disrespectful. Others who have tattoos had entirely benign motives, and they are enhancements to their lives and witnessing. The key is to be mindful, considerate, and loving towards others with your actions, not to be a pharisaical. Here in LA where there's such a creative, artistic vibe a thoughtful tattoo can be a wonderful conversation-starter, and something that others appreciates the way they would a painting. I've seen how people have responded to those I know with tattoos, and how it's actually been something that does indeed honor the Lord in a genuine and active way. I go to one of the largest churches in the US, Bel Air Presbyterian, and all but one person in the very popular worship band has a tattoo, as do many of the members of the congregation and visitors. Most here in LA would be more likely to gravitate towards a tattoo or simply have a neutral reaction to it, and they'd be more likely to be repelled by your attitude. Perhaps in a more conservative environment a tattoo would be more isolating, and therefore not as positive or appropriate for a Christian.
A multitude of actions can be based on carnal reasoning, unwholesome, and contrary to God's desires for us. Just as sex between loving married couples has an entirely different tone to it than prostitution, so does a tattoo of a meaningful verse, quote, or symbol have a different meaning than one of a swastika. Do you diligently obey the Law of Moses? Do you take all verses precisely as they are written, without studying whether other verses modify them? Do you consider the historical context and intent? I already explained the probable reasons for why tattoos had been forbidden under the Law. "Swine" was also prohibited by the Law, primarily because back in the Bronze Ages when it was written it was more difficult to properly store pork, and it could become contaminated and therefore "unclean" and unsafe to eat quickly. It was a verse intended to keep people safe and healthy, and now in the day of refrigeration and sanitary food standards there's no reason to keep it. I'm a vegetarian but I fully believe Christians have the right to eat bacon if they wish, and the only time I'd feel concerned about it was if the person ate it to a gluttonous, self-destructive extent instead of in healthy modification. If someone was addicted to tattoos or making foolish decisions with them, like going into debt, I'd voice concern if I was close to him or her, but otherwise would trust them to make decisions for themselves.
You chose to use a font that is challenging for those who come here from a mobile device to read because it suited you, and that's your prerogative. We all make decisions, tiny and large, based on preferences and personal reasons, and we should have some grace and tolerance for others when their preferences and reasons are not to our personal liking.
