How Should a Christian Woman Dress?

Paul's epistle to Timothy included guidance on how he (Timothy) was to manage the church at Ephesus, and by default, all New Testament churches. Part of that guidance included (1 Timothy 2:8-9): 

"...that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

At the time, Ephesus was famous for the temple of the Roman God Diana (Greek: Artemis) who was worshipped as a mother goddess associated with fertility. In fact, the temple at Ephesus had priestesses engaged in prostitution as a form of worship. Needless to say, the women of the day who were Diana followers, were dressed in such a way as to honor their fertility god and draw attention to themselves, perhaps for sexual purposes. 

Faith Lesson 

Women desire to look nice—to be beautiful. It's a part of their make up. The evidence can be seen in much time and millions of dollars being spent on beauty products, on parlor treatments, on clothes, on surgeries, on procedures, and even on Photoshop software designed to make a woman look beautiful, if not feel beautiful. This is how God designed women and there's nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, men love it! 

He does however say where her focus should be: rather than focusing on her exterior, she is encouraged to focus on pointing people to her God.

Paul does not say that a woman shouldn't be concerned with her beauty. In fact, he tells women to adorn themselves. He does however say where her focus should be: rather than focusing on her exterior, she is encouraged to focus on pointing people to her God. Rather than drawing excessive attention to her outward appearance, a woman can dress herself in such a way as to honor her God. Paul said, rather than giving more attention to adorning themselves with exterior items, a Christian woman ought to adorn herself with good works. 

Reflection 

As a woman, what excites a man about you? Is it your appearance only or your inner woman as well? 

What are you focusing on with regard to your beauty that may or may not be out of focus with what Paul urges? 

How could you apply Proverbs 31:30 here? 

How could we apply Proverbs 11:22 here? 

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By Jerry Smith
Feature image: Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

The Church and Truth

Background

Paul left Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus while he likely went on to Macedonia. From Macedonia Paul writes Timothy this letter (epistle) to instruct Timothy on how he should lead and manage the church at Ephesus. Part of that instruction describes the New Testament church (1 Timothy 3:15): 

...the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

Paul explains to Timothy what the church represents (God) and the church's role in this world as the pillar (support) and ground (foundation) of the truth. And that highest truth is found in 1 Timothy 3:16... 

...without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

Faith Lesson 

When referring to someone who is a pillar such as in Galatians 2:9 (James, Peter, and John), in the New Testament sense, it means someone well rooted and grounded in the truth and strong in the faith (William Burkitt NT Commentary on 1 Timothy 3:15). 

When the church is referred to as the pillar and ground of the truth it means the church should be holding fast the truth (as well as proclaiming it). And, the highest truth is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11) which is found in the word of truth (John 17:17), written by God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). 

The truth in every believer is the light that shines in this dark, evil world. If it is dim or if it is hidden, people will not be able to to distinguish truth from lies. 

The church should be a refuge that opposes heresy, false teaching, untruths, false doctrine, false signs (Matthew 13:22, 24:24), and anything else contrary to the truth. People should feel safe in the church—safe from lies and deceit. 

The truth does not compromise—it cannot. Truth is truth and will always prevail over falsity. Even 99% truth is not truth. The truth must be kept pure for there are many false truths (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) that lead people away from THE truth (John 14:6). 

Holding the truth does not mean simply knowing right doctrine, but living it as well. What more untruth can there be than when a church holds to the truth but its members fail to live it and exemplify it; fail to bear fruit from it? 

Sadly, some churches do well in proclaiming the truth but fall short of holding to it. 

Sadly, some churches do well in holding the truth but fail in proclaiming it. 

Sadly, some churches do well in proclaiming and holding the truth, but fail to live it. 

Sadly, some churches do none of these. 

Reflection 

Why is it important (for individuals and churches) to be the pillar and ground of the truth? 

In what ways can Christians deviate from the truth? 

How/Why do you think Christians get away from the truth? 

In what ways to churches get away from the truth? 

How do we maintain the integrity of the truth? 

What should our response be when we encounter false truth? 

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By Jerry Smith

Feature image: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/PhotographerOlympus

Is Acts 1:8 A Command or Forthtelling?

Basing their actions on Matthew 28:19–20, many Christians and churches today are busy making disciples. While that may be implied from the passage, it doesn't say "make disciples" in the King James Bible. Jesus told the disciples to go, teach, baptize, and teach again.

Matthew 28:19–20

The idea conveyed here is to first be busy about the Father's business (go). Then tell people about God our Creator, our fallen condition, and about Jesus Christ—the Gospel (teach).

When someone has responded to the Gospel in saving faith, they're to be baptized (baptize). After a person is baptized, that brother or sister is to be built up in the faith (teaching them).

A person who has met the Savior will be ready to tell others about Christ. They'll witness to others about their personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Andrew is an example of this in John 1:40–42. Though his faith was not yet mature, he instinctively wanted to bring his brother, Peter, to see Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:8

Shortly before His ascension, Jesus told the disciples:

... ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Eager Christians often see this as a second command to go and make disciples. But is that really what the Lord was saying here?

What did Jesus Say in Acts 1:8?

In Matthew, Jesus said, go. It was an imperative statement; an order that His disciples proceed forth and teach others the Gospel.

In Acts however, there's no imperative. There's only a declarative statement: "ye shall be witnesses." When examining the language of "shall be," the Greek word, esomai, we can see that it can mean, shall come to pass, but it is not an imperative statement.

The word witness comes from the Greek word, martus, a legal term that infers testifying in court (e.g. giving his testimony) or non-legal term for retelling a personal encounter (e.g. sharing his experience).

John bore witness about what he'd heard, seen, and touched during his experience with Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1–3). He declared Christ with the readers of 1 John.

Peter wrote similar words when he expressed his eye-witness account of what he'd seen and heard during his time with Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:6).

Paul witnessed of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6–9 and 26:12–15).

Command or Forthtelling?

The words Jesus spoke in Acts 1:8 have often been interpreted as a command to witness to the uttermost part of the earth, but that is not what we see here.

It appears that the Lord was forthtelling and foretelling—telling the disciples what would come to pass: they shall be witnesses (i.e. the word of God for the present: forthtelling), and as witnesses, they would flow from where they were then, to the uttermost part of the earth (i.e. the future: foretelling).

Do we have it backwards?

As Christians, we may have it all wrong. Could it be that we place more importance on Matthew 28:19–20 than Acts 1:8? From what we read in Scripture, it appears Acts 1:8 is the foundation for Matthew 28:19–20.

Perhaps one reason some people dislike Christians, or perhaps many unbelievers reject God and His Son Jesus Christ is that for so long, Christians have been overbearing and failing to demonstrate Christlike attitudes and behaviors—failing to live the Christian life which we speak of.

Could it be that we haven't nurtured our own relationships with the Lord and haven't shown simple sincerity in our witness to others? Don't people look for sincerity from an evangelist?

But if you look at how the Lord conducted Himself, he wasn't overbearing and He absolutely exhibited righteousness. He walked and talked the Gospel. He shared His relationship with the Father, and now He asks believers to share our relationship with Him, with others—ye shall be my witnesses.

Be ready to answer.

Peter wrote to persecuted Christians that they were to be ready:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).

Why were they to be ready to answer? Because as they lived their Christian lives before those who may have despised them, they'd draw some to them who would ask about their steadfast faith and continued good behavior (cf. 1 Peter 3:8–14).

These verses in 1 Peter 3 are not a mandate to debate unbelievers, but a command to be ready to answer questions about our real and living faith (cf. James 2:18).

In Revelation 2:4, the Lord rebuked the Church of Ephesus because they had lost their first love.

In John 17:3, the Lord, praying to the Father, spoke of knowing the Father and the Son as eternal life.

The Lord is interested in relationships.

Clearly, the Lord is interested in relationships with His people. He is referred to as our heavenly Father (e.g. Luke 11:2) and in an intimate way as Abba Father (e.g. Galatians 4:6). Believers are called sons (e.g. Romans 8:14) and that God deals with us as sons (Hebrews 12:7). He said to His people Israel that He walks among them and would be their God, and they His people (Leviticus 26:12, Deuteronomy 23:14).

Christians today are so caught up in making disciples that they neglect their relationships with the Lord (Revelation 2:4). Focus on ministry and soul-winning take the priority over fellowship, prayer, and personal times spent with the Lord.

God's word teaches us that . . .

We're to let our light shine that others may see it and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). What light do unbelievers see in us? It starts at home, then neighbors, then work, then branches out to the world (i.e. Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth).

We're to live peaceful lives (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14). How peaceful are our lives? Are we the rowdy ones on the block? Does our church make the most noise on Sundays? Are the soul-winners aggressive?

We're not to let evil be spoken of about us—nothing evil to say of us (Titus 2:8, 1 Peter 3:9,16; 2 Corinthians 8:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:15). How well do we fall into this description? What is our testimony to the world? 

We're to love God first (Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27). Do unbelievers see the love we have for God? Not a touchy-feely love, but a love that seeks to follow God.

Do people see these things in our lives, do they see only Bible-thumpers, hear harsh words, and get gospel tracts shoved in their faces?

Do they hear the believer's testimony of what Jesus Christ has done for him or only mechanical Bible quotes?

Do people see genuine Christianity and want to know more about it? Before the Lord renewed me in the faith, I wanted to be a Christian because I could see there was something pure and good in them. Do others say that about us?

Soul-winning in Church?

These days, preachers and churches feel obligation to preach the Gospel in church services. But is that what we're supposed to be doing in church?

According to Ephesians 4 (4:11–15) and 1 Corinthians 14 (14:3–5,12,26) that's not what we're supposed to be doing. Believers are to be taught doctrine and God is to be praised in His church. If unsaved people come in, they'll see this and know that they're different, and as Paul says, will fall down and glorify God (1 Corinthians 14:24–25).

What were the early disciples doing when they were gathered?

They were . . .

- Continuing daily with one accord.
- Breaking bread from house to house.
- Enjoying fellowship.
- Praising God.
- Having favor with God and man (Acts 2:45–47).

And the result was . . . the Lord added to them such as would be saved (Acts 2:47).
 

Final Thoughts

There must be something different about Christians. People are drawn to the light and will ask about it. We should be using words of grace seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)—no need to quote chapter and verse. We can just have speech sprinkled with the word of God.

In the end, there should be a balance between Matthew 28:19–20 (teaching) and Acts 1:8 (witnessing).

To know more about reviving your relationship with Jesus Christ or beginning one, purchase your copy of Where Is the Beauty That We May Desire Him: A Devotional on Isaiah 53 (e-book) on Google Books, Amazon Kindle, or paperback. Your purchases help keep this ministry going.
 
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Written by Jerry Smith
Image source: www.LumoProject.com on FreeBibleimages.org

God Demands Just Leaders

God demands that leaders remove violence and theft; to judge between evil and good, to execute justice, to ensure that fairness prevails: 

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD. [10] Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath (Ezekiel 45:9-10).

Since we are all made in the image of God, it is natural that we seek the same. This is why the heart cries out to leadership regarding injustices. 

Whether in the workplace, in politics, in organizations, in the church, in the family, or other, members seek justice. They cry out for it. 

When leaders fail to execute judgment and justice the morale of an entire group of people is damaged. When will leaders understand this? 

Sadly, increasingly more common are leaders who do not hear, do not care to hear, and or fail to execute righteousness on behalf of the people they lead.

Remember this however, that if you are a leader, you were appointed by God to be a terror to evil works (Romans 13:1-6), meaning that you are supposed to make right judgments and implement right solutions that favor righteousness. 

If you are not, you bear the sword in vain and are failing to do what God has appointed you to do. You will have to answer to God for that. 

Therefore, please examine yourselves because one day there may be much blood on your hands when you stand before Him.

By Jerry Smith 

Feature image: https://www.freeimages.com/photographer/hbrinkman-61434

What Does the Leaven of the Pharisees Mean for Christians Today?

What is the meaning of Jesus' words, beware of the yeast of the pharisees found in Matthew 16:6 and verses 11-12. What does it mean for Christians today? 

Leaven, or yeast as we call it today, is used to make bread rise when baked. It gives the the bread fluff from the carbon dioxide bubbles it creates. Contrast that with pizza-crust-thin unleavened bread, and you get the idea.

The Lord spoke of leaven on several occasions in the Gospels (e.g. Luke 12:1, Matthew 16:12, and Mark 8:15), and taught a parable relating to leaven and the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:33). He warned of the leaven of the Pharisees, the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the leaven of Herod (or the Herodians).

Each time the Lord spoke about leaven it was in a negative light. The Jews in Jesus’ time understood that leaven was symbolic of evil; it indicated the entrance of evil, or the entrance of sin. 

Leaven permeates the whole loaf, like corruption subtly permeates a church. It leads to a weak, ineffective, and fruitless condition, both individually and corporately. 

From these Gospel passages, we can glean the idea the Lord was conveying about the leaven of the Pharisees. 

1. The leaven of the Pharisees is hypocrisy—projecting an image yet having a different attitude inwardly.

In ancient times, the Greek word hypokrites was a reference to actors—pretenders that played a part when others were watching but were another way when they were not on stage.

As Christians, we become hypocrites when we act one way in church—when the pastor and brethren are watching—but act a different way at home (work or school).

We forget that our family members see us. The leaven of the Pharisees leads to a poor testimony and defames the name of Christ. 

2. The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees is disbelief of God's Word and believing false doctrine.

The Pharisees and Sadducees put on a pretty good show, but inwardly did not believe the Scriptures.

Had they believed, they would have recognized Christ and would have been more merciful in their dealings with others.

Had they believed, they would not have taught their traditions as God's law.

Christians can be influenced by the leaven of disbelief and false doctrine by holding more to their traditions than to what God says—I will have mercy over sacrifice.

Are you holding brethren to a higher standard than God does? Perhaps the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees has gotten to you. 

3. The leaven of Herod, or as some say, the Herodians, is faithlessness, forgetfulness, failure to trust God, and or unbelief.

The Herodians were Jews who had become Hellenistic—they loved Greek culture. In so doing, they cleaved to philosophy over the word of God. As a result, they became faithless, forgot God's promises, and trusted their own thinking more than the words of God.

Today, Christians can be tainted with this yeast by holding on to the culture of the world instead of Christian culture; by holding to the philosophy of man over the doctrines of the faith, and by trusting science falsely so-called, over the word God has given us.

Christians today are heavily influenced by modern psychology which tells us man is good inside and sin is just a condition to be treated with medicine or therapy to make him better.

Christians include the world's type of music and entertainment in their worship services. Rather than seek the Lord, we seek our feelings about the Lord.

Rather than trust God and the clear and plain reading of His word, Christians over-theorize, adjust our teaching, and hold to the belief that the world evolved because evolutionary science tell us it has.

The Lord warned the disciples then and warns us today that if we let leaven into our lives, it will affect us. As a natural course, it will be transferred to other brethren, and eventually the whole church to the point that we become diluted and ineffective for the Master's use.

We have all seen or have heard how hypocrisy hurts the credibility of the church and even separates members; how false doctrine takes people down the wrong path, and how faithlessness leads to a failure to trust God and keep His ways, i.e. fruitlessness.

The Lord wants us to live abundant and fruitful lives; so, He tells us to be on guard against the subtle worldly influences all around us.

Conclusion

Please take time and review the Bible passages shared in this post (I personally prefer the King James Bible) and mediate on the word of God about this.

Look for the leaven in your life and confess it to God and become more unleavened.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post or comment here. 

By Jerry Smith

Feature Image source: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/Savany

Pharisees image source: www.LumoProject.com licensed to FreeBibleimages.org for free distribution 

How Can Christians Learn to Respond Instead of React?

The Lord and His disciples provide excellent examples of the contrast between reacting and responding. In Luke 9:51-56 the disciples were angered about an insult to the Lord, but Jesus handled things differently. 

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Jesus' time had come; Christ's earthly ministry had drawn to a close and He was now ready to be offered as a sheep to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). 

The people of Samaria did not like the Jews very much due to some problems between them in the past. Nevertheless, the Lord sent messengers to prepare a place for Him in the Samaritan village. 

However, when they learned that He was just passing through on the way to Jerusalem, that bothered them even more, so they refused His request for accommodation. 

How did the disciples behave toward the Samaritan insult? 

The disciples acted according to how they were treated—they wanted the Lord to call down fire and destroy them for this insult. They reacted to how they were treated. Reacting means to fight fire with fire; it is an act against or opposition to some perceived insult. 

The disciples reacted to the behavior of the Samaritans by wanting to harm them: bad for bad, tit-for-tat. The disciples were with the Lord for three years but forgot His teaching on mercy (Luke 6:36). 

But what did Jesus have to say about this attitude? He rebuked them, saying that they did not have a right spirit. 

How did the Lord behave toward the insult of the Samaritans? 

Jesus responded to the bad behavior of the Samaritans in meekness. Meekness means that the Lord had power to destroy them for their poor behavior but did not. He gave us an example to follow (Matthew 11:29, Titus 3:2, 2 Timothy 2:25). 

Jesus responded to the poor behavior of the Samaritans in mercy. Mercy means that the Lord had authority and the right to condemn the Samaritans for their poor behavior but He did not (Psalm 116:5). 

Instead of destroying the Samaritans, Jesus responded in love (Luke 6:27). 

God has shown us how to respond since the beginning. 

Far too often when in these situations, we forget how the Lord responded to US and all of our shortcomings, bad behaviors, and wickedness. 

In Genesis 3:6, Adam and Eve sinned. They disobeyed God’s command and should have been punished. But God made them coats of skins (Genesis 3:21) and promised them a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15). 

According to Romans 3:23, you and I sin. We daily disobey God’s commands and should be punished. But God sent us a Savior. The Lord responded to us rather than reacted by sending His only begotten Son : 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them (Luke 9:56).

If the Lord had reacted, we would all be in dire straits. 

And if you have not already, understand from the heart that you are a sinner. Confess your sinful self and turn from your sinful ways. Acknowledge that you need a Savior or you will perish. 

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Trust Him and walk in newness of life. 

How about us—how do we behave when we feel wronged? 

When God doesn’t behave as we think He should, do we react and shake our fist at Him, or do we respond to Him in love? 

When others behave poorly toward us, do we fight fire with fire? Do we seek to call down fire upon them? Do we show meekness, mercy, and love? 

How can we learn to respond instead of react? 

Remember the Lord’s words...

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...(Philippians 2:5). 

We need the mind of Christ. How can we have the mind of Christ? 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... (Colossians 3:16). 

Get into the Word of Christ—not just a little, but richly. Only then will we be able to know and follow His holy example (1 Peter 2:21). 

Conclusion 

We see from this passage in Matthew that the disciples were no different than us. When someone does wrong, often our first inclination is to retaliate, to react. But Jesus brought us a new and living way (Hebrews 10:20). 

When a person is in Christ, they have been given the power—the Holy Spirit—to respond rather than react. Only by getting into the word of God and yielding to it can we develop the same mind or attitudes as Christ by the Holy Spirit's leading. 

Christ suffered beyond measure at our hands, yet what did He say at the end, “Father forgive them…”  

May the Lord grant us grace to respond rather than react, so that our heavenly Father might be glorified by Christ in us. 

By Jerry Smith 

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Feature image: Photo by Sebastien Gabriel on Unsplash

What Does 'Ever Learning But Never Able to Come to the Truth' Mean?

In reference to 2 Timothy 3:7, you must look at the context to understand this verse. The chapter begins with a reference to the last times (2 Timothy 3:1). In the last times people will be (2 Timothy 3:2–5): 

(2) …lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
(3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
(4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
(5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…

Paul warns Timothy to stay away from those people (men at the time) because they are the kind of people who capture the hearts and minds of silly women (verse 6; typically housewives at the time) who listen to everything no matter how dangerous it could be—women who are easily influenced and deceived. 

Verse 7 is a reference to these women. They are always listening to something from these men, wanting to learn something new, trying to catch something curious, and being led astray by it. As a result, they can never understand the truth of the word of God—i.e. right doctrine. 

These women are deceived by the smooth-talking teachers characterized by verses 2–5. 

These days, we could equate the silly women with silly men and women who may sit and listen to televangelists, tele-pastors, tele-teachers who bring into their homes (through the airwaves) damnable heresies—departures from fundamental doctrines of the faith. 

A quick Google search for ‘false Christian teachers’ will identify some of the false teachers out there that fit the bill. 

By Jerry Smith

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Feature image: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/rudall30

Second image: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/hypnotic-gm168400705-16920848

Psalm 19 Verse 1

Psalm 19:1 (KJV):

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

David is saying that when you look at the heavens, you can say, wow, God is awesome!

When you see birds flying in the air, the stars at night, the beauty of the sky, the clouds that bring rain, the warmth of the sun, the light of the moon, a sunset, a sunrise, the universe, the variety, and all that may strike a person about creation—David says, these things testify of God’s attributes (e.g. His wisdom, understanding, sovereignty, power, …).

David was once a shepherd boy who spent a lot of time outdoors. Perhaps he would lay down at night looking into the heavens and muse (ponder) over creation. When he was older he may have still done that (Psalm 143:5):

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Psalm 19:1-4 follows suit.

Sadly, however, Romans 1:20-21 reminds us that not everyone will appreciate these things:

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

There may be scoffers, but that will not change the glory of God written in the sky—a testimony to the glory of God.

By Jerry Smith

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Feature image: Wei Pan on Unsplash