Holiness: to honor him Part 2
"The greatest compliment to a creator of a thing- whether a musical masterpiece, or an admirable work of art- is to keep it as he created it. This says, to the artist, I agree- your work is good."-Chantel Lorayne
This second part of our holiness study is going to focus on the ordinance that God set in order from the creation of man. Remember holiness is about being set apart from the world's standards, structures, and rules and instead walking according to God's.
When God created man his purpose was to create man
(1) in his image and
(2) in his likeness. (Genesis 1:25)
(1) in his image and
(2) in his likeness. (Genesis 1:25)
First ,according to the Word, the image of God is "the Word made flesh." John 1:14
Hebrews 1:3 NKJV who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Secondly, the likeness of God, is his character of holiness, or separation.
1 Peter 1:14-16 King James Version (KJV)
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Some Back-story
In his creation of man, God already planned to fashion a woman. He breathed life into Adam and set him in the garden. As Adam went about tending the garden and naming the animals, Adam realized that he was without a companion just for him. But get this- God spoke "It is not good for man to be alone" before this moment even happened. This was not a newly-realized notion for the creator. God knew this from the moment he created Adam, yet God allowed Adam to realize this for himself.
When God formed Adam, he included within him the blueprint for woman, knowing he would take that out from him at the right time. Did you get that? The make up for the female would be separated from Adam momentarily.
The Vision
God created male and female- two distinct beings for his glory- to collaboratively bear the perfect image and likeness of God. To pervert the distinction is to defy God's wisdom and authorship of his creation. Condoning the blurring of the sexes is another way of saying, God did not know what he was doing. Blurring the lines between male and female, corrupt the expression of God's complete image in humanity.One particular example that God used to emphasize his view on corrupting the work of his hands can be found here:
An Application
Deuteronomy 22:5 KJV
5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.
..."anything that pertains to a man..."
Pertain
(1) :to belong as a part, member, accessory, or product
(2) : to belong as an attribute, feature, or function
(3) : to belong as a duty or right I.E.,pertaining to fatherhood
(1) :to belong as a part, member, accessory, or product
(2) : to belong as an attribute, feature, or function
(3) : to belong as a duty or right I.E.,
2
: to have reference I.E., pertain ing to birds; from merriam webster dictionary
The scripture does not say a women shall not wear a mans clothing, Rather God takes it but further. When we transpose the Webster definition for pertain in the verse, it reads, A woman is not to wear anything even related, attributed to, appropriated for, a man. Notice, it does say specifically that a man is not to wear woman's clothing. Woman's clothing can not usually be blurred to look masculine on a man.
Note:Sadly today, even men's clothing are looking more and more feminine as trends progress- a ploy of Satan to pervert what God is, and he created in us- holiness and distinction.
I believe, the Lord in his infinite wisdom worded the scripture this way knowing the hearts of humanity. Jeremiah 17:9 says "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." He knew that we would fight a battle of scriptural authorities from the moment we conceded to Satan's lie in the garden. From the beginning, Satan was out to corrupt the creation of God. His plan is to offend him, by corrupting his fearfully made creation, and persuade man to rise against his own creator.
In truth, God ordained an order that includes himself as the head of a man, and man as the head of a woman. I know, I know- this goes against our human nature of free will. However, when females take on God-ordained male roles, in an attempt to exalt ourselves, we rebel against God- we say what he did is not good. On the other hand when we discover and embrace the unique collaborative power and authority we have as female in the kingdom, the devil can't compete. God distinguished male from female for a reason. We should give reverence to the doings of the Almighty.
So.... what does this have to do with a woman not wearing "anything that pertains to a man" or a guy wearing girls clothes?
Have you noticed how clothing affects mindset?
One puts on sneakers and jeans and this reads, relax, play, be laid back.
We throw on PJs or sleepwear of choice and it says lounge, get sleepy.
We put on suits and ties or heels and dresses, and it says, stand tall and have decorum, be on your better behavior, and little more serious-minded.
In the same way, when females wear things that are attributed to a man, we oppose our God-ordained and wonderfully created femininity. Be honest- we sit differently and walk differently- and sometimes in either extreme. Clothing pertaining to the male sex causes a female to either be overtly provocative in order to overcome the masculinity of the clothing. On the other hand, wearing male-oriented clothing causes the female to defy her femininity completely and behave like a male in some aspect or another. When we defy our femininity we defy God. This attitude of defiance or rebellion is an abomination against God. Historically when females found they had to wear clothing that pertains to a man, she was either taking on a male-ordained role, or attempting to parade and exalt herself as "able to do just as good as a guy..." Either way, she is compromising her femininity . This perverts what God ordered, and strips men of their God-given place as strong leaders.
Note: This is not a clothing issue in and of itself, this is an issue about holiness. However God's character, and submitting to God as his children, does impact our external presentation bodily of his divine laws.
Response: Now lets ask ourselves, what clothing is most closely associated to a female ?
If you said a dress or skirt, you're correct.
If you didn't, refer to question 2 below.
Now, how would that be worn by a God-fearing female, presenting most closely with being holy (separated unto him)?
Definitely not a mini skirt or a body-con dress. (More on that topic in part 3)
Wait- this is an old testament scripture, right? Yes.
Though in the new testament, some applications of the law were done away with, the principles were not. For example,the principle of holiness and separation were reiterated numerous times in the new testament. Likewise, the principles of distinction of the sexes was carried over in both application and principle. Some scriptural examples are below.
By external Presentation:
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?- 1 Corinthians 11:14 (Physical distinction represented here)
By Actions:
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves,1 Peter 3:1-5(- distinction in dress and attitude represented here. Notice how dress and attitude correlate.)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,- 1 Corinthians 6:9 (Did you catch that, males with femine attributes or tendencies...)
Conclusion:
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20Conclusion:
Holiness to the Lord means we are to be separate from the world- the world's corrupt way of thinking. We are to think, do, and present ourselves internally and externally different from the world. The world wants to blur the distinction of sexes in all of these areas. We as children of the King are to oppose that perversion, by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto ...
GOD.
We can not use the world's reason to justify or validate God's Word. We can not use the world's logic to make sense of even our choices that are contrary to his Word.
Remember:
"The greatest compliment to a creator of a thing- whether a musical masterpiece, or a admirable work of art- is to keep it as he created it. This says, to the artist, I agree- your work is good."
Warmest thoughts and prayers,
Chantel
Ezra 6:21So the Israelites who had returned from the exile... together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the Lord, the God of Israel.
Ezra 10:11Now honor the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you...
2 Corinthians 6:17Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
Now on to part three ;-)
Comments
Post a Comment