Originally posted by Peacebestill
Whether we like it or not we are affected by cultural mores, of which hair length is one.
No christian I associate with supports abortion.
I just don't see the link.
Sadly, I have spoken with some Christians, especially of the younger generation, who think abortion is justified in some instances, like rape for example. This is only one more small step in a long journey away from God.
Cultural mores within one's own culture should be irrelevant to a Christian because we have been freed from society's opinions and biases, especially if they go against Biblical teaching. This thread alone is proof that the majority of Christians today do not think that the Bible is an absolute authority. In fact, some Christians will do anything they can to not have to accept something they disagree with. This started many years ago with what we would call "trivial" things like hair. Then it became gender roles and homosexuality...and now, it's slowly becoming abortion/cloning. The modern church has been gradually trading in cultural mores for Biblical Truth.
Does not the Bible teach that even a little bit of sin left unwatched will fester and grow and eventually destroy the soul that harbors it? Does this not apply to the Church as well?
Of course it does!
That is the link...one day we let what (in our fallible opinions) is something trivial go ...and the next day our children are killing their babies, or, just as bad, pursuing their careers instead of raising their children in the Word of God. God has His reasons for His Word, and no where does the Scripture make accepting parts of it up to our discretion. We are instead advised to "Trust in the Lord
with all our hearts and
lean not on our own understaning. (Proverbs 3:5)
And that's the issue! The modern church has a severe lack of faith in the power, wisdom, and thereby grace, of God!
Life is interconnected beyond our understanding. God gave us His Word because we are too fallen (and therefore evil) to make certain decisions on our own. Even as Christians, we must turn to God's Word to receive Wisdom and understanding. If we then, as God's children, turn a deaf ear to the law, even our prayers our detestable to God. (Proverbs 28:9) Being a Christian means one is no longer under the Law, but that does not mean the Law is not the way God has told us to live so that it may go well with us in this world. Christ Himself said, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?"
Praise God for the forgiveness He gives us that we may repent of our sins and turn to Him for graceful acceptance. Then, as He promised, He will purify us from our wickedness, writing His Word on our hearts as a joy and a Truth, and by His Spirit giving us the strength to change and grow for His glory. The only thing which can stop us from this is the hardening of our hearts by ourselves. Once we have labeled God's Word as a cultural more, what's to stop our hard hearts from forsaking Him all together?
The greatest hinderance to meaningful evangelism today is the lifestyles of those who are attempting to evangelize.
Peace to all who seek it,
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