Time for REAL Christian Warriors is NOW !

[intricatic]

If clothes don't matter, and it's what's underneath that counts, why do so many people obsess over others who enjoy dressing up?

I've honestly never been to a Church that would treat a person differently for not dressing up to service. I've been to quite a few Churches, including some strict conservative Southern Baptist churches in backwoods North Carolina. I have no idea what this mentality is from.

 

[Soldier_For_Christ]

we do need a change, and i long for it. But its not a change we can make, only Jesus can change the heart. So rather then getting frustrated and then stewing over it as i did in the past, turn it in to action. Act through prayer, through fasting, surrender yourself to God to His will. Speak to people about, members of your church. the revelution starts in the heart, its starts with you guys, just because you see no one else 'standing' for Jesus does that mean you sit down? i should hope not!

I was speaking to a wonderful friend of mine, she said that she hopes and prays that she has the faith to be able to keep standing in the faith even if all those she loves and looks up to walk away from Christ. So my brothers and sisters it starts with us, not the whole church in time, through prayer and trust, patients things will change.
oh with the clothing issue? what a pointless thing to talk about, it matters not what a person wears to church, ever. Is not the body worth more the clothes that cover it? all i wear shoe wise is sandles that a good friend gave me, i wear what ever is clean to church, it is not about the outer but the inner, church is fellowship under the name of Jesus. Question, how would you treat a 'working girl' who came into your church? many dress in short skirts that was once called valgur on this same thread, wear lots of make up, before you even spoke to her would u pre-judge her as "un-worthy to come before God"? I should truelly hope not.

look to the heart and the worth of person, not the outer expression.

Peace

I wish it was simple enough that we could just say, "Hey, wear whatever you want to church 'cause God doesnt' care" but if what we wear (or, in some cases, what we don't wear) distracts others from God and what he might be saying to them, then it is our responsibility as brothers and sisters in Christ to be willing to change what we wear so that others may have the freedom to seek God without being distracted.

I'm not saying "Yes, we should all wear tuxedos and dresses to church", but I'm saying that we must examine our wardrobe not only in church but outside of church and ask ourselves, "If I wear this, will other people be able to see Christ living in me or will what I wear distract them from that?"

 

[OD3]

I wish it was simple enough that we could just say, "Hey, wear whatever you want to church 'cause God doesnt' care" but if what we wear (or, in some cases, what we don't wear) distracts others from God and what he might be saying to them, then it is our responsibility as brothers and sisters in Christ to be willing to change what we wear so that others may have the freedom to seek God without being distracted.

I'm not saying "Yes, we should all wear tuxedos and dresses to church", but I'm saying that we must examine our wardrobe not only in church but outside of church and ask ourselves, "If I wear this, will other people be able to see Christ living in me or will what I wear distract them from that?"

Yeah, thats what I meant. As you said. Im sure the clothing itself doesnt bother God at all. He made us naked after all. Its just revealing clothing can distract others at the church and that isnt fair.

 

[Soldier_For_Christ]

Yeah, thats what I meant. As you said. Im sure the clothing itself doesnt bother God at all. He made us naked after all. Its just revealing clothing can distract others at the church and that isnt fair.

Exactly...though I doubt that I would wear fewer clothes even if it didn't distract others.

 

[intricatic]

If clothes don't matter, and it's what's underneath that counts, why do so many people obsess over others who enjoy dressing up?

I've honestly never been to a Church that would treat a person differently for not dressing up to service. I've been to quite a few Churches, including some strict conservative Southern Baptist churches in backwoods North Carolina. I have no idea what this mentality is from.

Hmm... Obviously, though, I haven't been to a Church that would think it appropriate to walk in wearing nothing but speedos and a pair of flipflops. I guess it's sort of implied that you're being conscious of your environment and the people around you.

 

[WarriorOfChange]

This is great conversation, however, why is everyone only talking about what people wear to Church? The thread started talking about being judgemental. Not about just clothing.

One of my pastors told me a story that happened at a former Church of his. It will bring to light some of the things that WE CAN CHANGE if we actually want to walk the walk.

He was in a service once when a man who looked like a homeless person and hadnt showered, had rags on, and looked terrible, walked into their Church on a Sunday morning. Noone talked to him, noone wanted to sit by him. Isn't this truly something that we can change?

Now, I can see from the history of this topic that EVERYONE here seems to go to " A PERFECT CHURCH" that would NEVER do that. Is that true? Are you that perfect as a Christian? I know I am NOT. I dont know how I would react in that given situation. Can you honestly say you would go out of your way to say hi to someone like that?

Maybe I am the biggest sinner of all of you, at least that is how the majority of these responses have made it seem.

W

 

[chocolatecheesecake]

hahaha yeah thats it mate, my biggest point was not on the clothing,

on your point u made, i and others are praying for my church as it has as many have said "losts its passion", as in truth i would never bring the people i meet on the street to my church, not a chance.

I liked what you said, about if we actually want to change.

Church is not a place for the perfect mate, and in all truth if you find a perfect church dont go because you will bring it the level of imperfect. My issue is though say that homeless guy or a lady off the street comes in dress in a "inappropiate" manner for church, does that mean she is not worthy to be there?

If we are Christians which I am guessing that most of us are, we need to learn to look into the heart, see with the eye of Jesus, to see the worth that each person holds in heaven. Yeah its mega hard it is not a natural thing. If we wish to change that we NEED to pray, to fast to read the scriptires and to seek God with our whole being. To be serious about this and not just allow things to reach a level and then stop, but constantly moving toward the King.

It makes me sad that out of the thing I wrote you only pulled the final part of it out, if you want to see a change then learn to surrender as you nor me will ever be able to change anything under our own strength. Your church will not change with out people praying for the change to happen, if you are feeling this way chances are others are as well. seek them out. and get together and pray as a family for a new fire to be lit, for the church to shaken up and woken from its slumber.

My last point is that church is not usually the place a person gets saved, it is our juty to tell people of Christ, not to tell them about church then hope for the best. Jesus called us to get out into this world and to share His gospel, then lets do it! The gospel runs deeper then flesh, be you white black, green bright pink you are in need of Jesus, let us take our eyes of off the outer and look to the inner, with a passion for the name of Jesus in our hearts. do not wait for everyone else to start with you, step out on your own, as in truth you are never alone for Jesus promised us that He is with us ALWAYS! AMEN! and in seeing 'your' good deeds others will hopefully follow on.

judgeing is lame, and we all do it of that I am sure but by Christ we can lessen it, look to Him at all times, ask for a heart that feels like His heart, pray for a passion for people, pray for a spirit of compassion, for if you love someone it is not as likely that you will judge them yeah?

oh well wrote to much lalalalalala hanging out for the Prince of Peace

 

[intricatic]

This is great conversation, however, why is everyone only talking about what people wear to Church? The thread started talking about being judgemental. Not about just clothing.

One of my pastors told me a story that happened at a former Church of his. It will bring to light some of the things that WE CAN CHANGE if we actually want to walk the walk.

He was in a service once when a man who looked like a homeless person and hadnt showered, had rags on, and looked terrible, walked into their Church on a Sunday morning. Noone talked to him, noone wanted to sit by him. Isn't this truly something that we can change?

Now, I can see from the history of this topic that EVERYONE here seems to go to " A PERFECT CHURCH" that would NEVER do that. Is that true? Are you that perfect as a Christian? I know I am NOT. I dont know how I would react in that given situation. Can you honestly say you would go out of your way to say hi to someone like that?

Maybe I am the biggest sinner of all of you, at least that is how the majority of these responses have made it seem.

W

So now you're presuming that we all go to Churches that are generally really judgemental? Isn't that a generalized judgement on your part?

I'm confused, who's claiming to be perfect?

Can you honestly say you would go out of your way to say hi to someone like that?

To this point, yes. Haha.. I spend more time with a homeless guy near my school than with my fellow students. I've tried to get him to go to Church with me, but he always weasels out of it.

 

[chocolatecheesecake]

"To this point, yes. Haha.. I spend more time with a homeless guy near my school than with my fellow students. I've tried to get him to go to Church with me, but he always weasels out of it. "

wow that is such a awesome thing you do! praise Jesus!
my only advice for you which i give sparingly is to tell him about Jesus and talk about that with him, (which you may already be doing) just show some love yeah! rock on! that makes me glad to hear that. Psalm 41, "having regard for the poor"

 

[intricatic]

"To this point, yes. Haha.. I spend more time with a homeless guy near my school than with my fellow students. I've tried to get him to go to Church with me, but he always weasels out of it. "

wow that is such a awesome thing you do! praise Jesus!
my only advice for you which i give sparingly is to tell him about Jesus and talk about that with him, (which you may already be doing) just show some love yeah! rock on! that makes me glad to hear that. Psalm 41, "having regard for the poor"

Thanks... :o I do try to talk to him about Christ whenever I can. I found out that he really just wants someone to talk to, and a bite to eat from time to time. He's a really interesting guy, though.

One of my favorite passages;

1 James
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.



Another favorite;

Isaiah 58
6 “ Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
“ If you take away the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.