Think Pink: Edify

Why are manners and proper etiquette so important to our lives? Will we go to hell if we have bad manners or fail to achieve proper etiquette? Of course not, but the Bible gives us instructions of how to conduct ourselves and in doing so show the love of Christ to all.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10 that basically we can act however we want because Christ has freed us from the law, but it doesn't mean all things are edifying. I think Christians too often take this verse too literally, and in doing so misconstrued how we are to conduct ourselves. They say because they are no longer under the law and all things are lawful to them that they are free to act however they please. That is abusing the Word and dishonouring Christ, and is why so many have turned towards the ways of the flesh rather than the ways of God.

1 Corinthians 10: 23 "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not."

Awhile back I wrote an article on my personal blog about modesty and how we should strive to dress in reverence to the Lord, and in doing so I received a comment from a girl who has been incorrectly taught that she may act and dress however she pleases because she is no longer under the law.

"No matter what I wear…God loves me and is pleased with me. No amount of works or correct dressing makes him love my any more or less. Why? Because when he looks at me he sees Jesus. Woo-hoo! I can wear a tight mini skirt or a be covered head to toe, God’s view of me does not change. Your opinion/view of me does. What people are truly going to see and notice is the God inside of me shining out. Dressing “plain” (for lack of a better word) or having long hair is not what is going to draw the unbelievers to Christ. God doesn’t care if your hair is long or short or if your skirt is 2 inches above your knee or to the floor with tassles. It is a heart issue. And a law issue. Jews are still under the law. We aren’t, Jesus died to set us free from the law. Let’s live like it." "Faith"

As you can tell by just reading her opinion she is not dressing or behaving in any certain way to edify herself or bring glory to her Saviour. Hearing what she had to say both made me angry and sad at the same time. This is the opinion of many people who claim to be Christians. They are not striving to edify themselves or the Body, only to please themselves. God will always love you no matter how you act, but He hates sin, and it will not be allowed into His kingdom, which is why we must be diligently seeking to be pure and holy, correcting our sinful nature rather than letting it just go or "let's live like it".

If you simply search "Christian meaning" you will find many web-pages where it will tell you the meaning of the word Christian, which is "follower of Christ". Those who call themselves Christians and do all things lawful are not fulfilling the call of a Christian.

Ladies, the reason I write this is because, as I have seen, there is a great lack thereof of young ladies who seek to edify themselves and pursue what is of Christ. One thing the "Faith" got right was that God does look on the heart. He sees who you are trying to please, no matter what you confess to. If you are loving, joyful, peaceful, longsuffering, gentle, good, faithful, meek, pure, modest, and seeking to edify yourself for Him on the inside than it will shine through on the outside.

Have you ever seen a fruit that was rotten on the outside but sweet and unspoiled on the inside? No, it is unthinkable. If you have fruits of the spirit and virtues in your heart then the light of Christ will shine through you as a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14) which cannot be hidden.

I believe Lady Jess put it wonderfully when she said "Spiritual success does not always bring a good reputation in the world." Spiritual success comes from "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

Edify and glorify Christ in all your actions, which is one of the best ways to witness to others.