Tuesday, December 9, 2014

God's Thoughts on the Clothes Line

This is a compilation of conversations that I've had recently concerning God's thoughts on clothing. I've tried to reference scripture to support my thoughts on this since what God thinks is a lot more important than what I think. I pray that this helps to give direction and settle any questions that you may have about this topic. I also understand that there are many other great men with greater laurels than I have that could provide much more insight into this topic. This is not an end all on this topic, but rather just scratching the surface. 

I further realize that this is a highly debated topic that seems to create contention in many. If you do not agree with the scripture references or this blog my only plea with you concerning this is that you will sincerely pray and ask God for guidance. He will not leave you hanging if you sincerely desire His direction in this. I also ask that you hold any negative verbal attacks on anyone else that may comment on this blog or any other social media site that it may appear on. God Bless you as you read. 

Deuteronomy 22:5 says, The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.
From my understanding of the Old Testament, the law is divided into 2 parts. One is ceremonial, the other is moral law. The ceremonial was fulfilled, or accomplished once Jesus came & died. We are now the temple and Jesus the supreme sacrifice, therefore the ceremonial is no longer applicable. However the moral law, which Deuteronomy 22:5 falls under, is still applicable.
In Job 38 & Job 40, Job was instructed to "gird up LIKE A MAN". Making a clear statement that there was a distinction in how a man should "gird" up and how a woman should.
Job 38:2-3 King James Version (KJV)
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Job 40:6-8 King James Version (KJV)
6 Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
There was undoubtedly a difference in the robes. But "breeches", what we now call britches, were designated for the male gender only. This is not something that a Church group came up with. God HIMSELF authored it. We aren't dealing with male chauvinist pigs or a leader in the feminist movement when discussing this, we're dealing with the Lord of Glory. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords. The Great I Am!
Nearly 9 centuries after Deuteronomy was written you can still see where breeches were being worn by men only.
Ezekiel 44 18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins;
There is absolutely nothing in the New Testament to indicate that God had a different thought on how clothing should be gender specific. As a matter of fact when the soldiers were led into the garden of Gethsemene Judas told them "I'll kiss the one that you need to take away". That tells me that Jesus Himself evidently had on similar clothing than any other man would have on in that group.
If we look at all of this from merely a cultural viewpoint we are opening a can of worms that we don't have the authority to do, in my humble opinion, in light of the scriptural viewpoint. If everything is culturally based, then men can wear skirts/dresses. How would that be accepted in our Church world? If we can't accept men in dresses/skirts then why would we even begin to think that a woman in pants is permissible? Are the shows that the drag queens participate in ok? If not, why? Culture accepts this.
I think that we have entered a time that scripture has been so long neglected that things scripture forbids is now appears permissible. But from that standpoint, we should embrace the trinitarian baptismal formula. It's been around since 325 A.D.-God Forbid!
The only time that a pair of pants would cover more of the body than a skirt/dress is if the skirt/dress is immodest. That's clearly forbidden in scripture as much as cross dressing.
I am open to scriptural reference on when Jesus removed the distinction of dress.
If how we dress is based solely on cultural appeasement then where does the line get drawn on any other Biblical principle? What about the New Birth? Why can't homosexuals marry? Why should a woman not cut her hair? Why can't we kill babies in the womb, or even partially birthed? It's a right, right? It's accepted by culture, so.......
My suggestion is this-leave scripture alone! Let it stand for-IT IS WRITTEN. If we aren't careful we will dance away every core doctrine of scripture and before you know it we will not look any different, act any different, talk any different than any other religious movement in the world.
Psalm 119:88-90 King James Version (KJV)
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89 For ever, O Lord, thy WORD IS SETTLED IN HEAVEN.
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 King James Version (KJV)
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Do you see any room for changing God's thoughts on anything? Me either.
It's settled. The ink is dried.
God Bless you in Jesus Name!

Pastor Young

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Heavy Hearted

I speak this as a heavy hearted Pastor just after midnight. As we are traveling back home my mind visited a familiar place of thought-eternity. 


Many religions dumb it down as they lull their parishioners to sleep with religious, rhetorical lullabies that's absent of any scriptural foundation. Those that do embrace eternity quietly give cheap pats on the back to maintain the legacy of those that have blindly went before them...with no regard to scriptural salvation. "My grandpa done this, so it must be absolutely true". Belief in grandma's salvation doesn't give you a head start to Heaven. Obeying scripture is what puts any of us on the roll that we be called up yonder. 


By the end of this week, Lord willing I will have attended 4 funerals/visitations and will have been involved in one of those. A stillborn baby. 


Eternity is long folks. Really really long. Never ending. No Rolex. No stopwatch. No gas pedal to speed it up, nor brake pedal to slow it down. 


We truly need an awakening. One to shake us to our innermost being. A revelation of the lake of fire that burns with fire & brimstone. A revelation of Calvary & the shed blood. (I'm so thankful Jesus didn't have a list of excuses as to why He couldn't make Calvary's appointment.) 


I know we're under the New Testament Church age that's powered by Grace. But Grace is not a way out, it's THE way in. This may be the only time you ever read or hear this-but there is no other way to Heaven other than being born of the water AND the Spirit. (John 3:3-5 & Acts 2:38)


If you haven't died a spiritual death at an altar of repentance you must. If you haven't been baptized by submersion in Jesus Name for the remission of sins, you must. If you haven't received the in filling of the Spirit like the experience in Acts 2, Acts 10 & Acts 19; you must. 


Get in. Excuse free. No negotiators will be allowed on our day of Judgement. 


I love you in Christ Jesus, The Lord of Glory. 


For Christ,


Pastor Brian D. Young