Colorful Cosmetics and Jewelry

8/11/2019 Colorful Cosmetics and Jewelry

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Copyright 2009 by

Lu Ann Crews

All rights reserved.Printed in the USA.

Published by:

Amazing Facts, Inc.P.O. Box 1058

Roseville, CA 95678-8058

800-538-7275

Layout by Greg Solie -Altamont GraphicsCover design by Jennifer Arruda

ISBN-10: 1-58019-028-6


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Colorful Cosmetics and Jewelry2

is aroused instantly against anydoctrine that

demandsthegivingupofanything.As this liberal spirit has grown stronger,manychurchmembershaveturnedmoreandmorecriticalofthehighspiritualstandardsup-heldbythechurch.Obviouslyembarrassedbythewideninggapbetweenthechurchandtheworld,andunwillingtomeetthesocialstigmaofbeingapeculiarminority,thesemembershavesoughttojustifytheircompromiseintheareaofChristian standards. Teyofenarguethat thechurch isbeingnarrowand legalistic

and thatmany finepeoplearebeingdiscour-agedfromjoiningthechurchbythisarbitraryimpositionofrules.

Ifthesecomplaintsarevalid,thensomeba-sicchangessurelyneedtobemadeinthedoc-

trineofthechurch.Iftheyarenotvalid,thenwedesperatelyneed to knowhow topresentthestandardsofChristianconductintheirtruebiblicalsetting.Inotherwords,wemustdefi-nitelyestablishwhethertheserulesweremade

byGodorbythechurch.WemustalsofindoutiftheyarearbitraryprohibitionsorGodslov-ingregulationsforourownhappiness.

Incontrasttothepopularrevoltagainstanyabsolute law of individual conduct, we must


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Colorful Cosmetics and Jewelry 3

considertheBiblefactsabouttheChristianlife

ingeneralandmoralsinparticular.Howcom-patiblearethesemodemdemandsforpersonalfreedomwiththestandardsofGodsWord?Letussupposethatthetruebiblicalpositioncouldbepresentedwithalltheloveandpersuasionofanangelfromheaven.Wouldthetruthbeeasyforanyonetoaccept?

Letsfaceit.Tepathtoeternallifeisnotasof, flowerywayof ease. Jesus laid such em-phasisuponthisinsomanytextsthatwecan-notbeblindtoit.Hesaid,Straitisthegate,and

narrowistheway,whichleadethuntolife,andfewtherebethatfindit(Matthew7:14).OneoftheveryfirstprinciplesofbeingaChristianisself-denial.Christsaid,Ifanymanwillcomeaferme,lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphis

crossdaily,andfollowme(Luke9:23).TobeaChristian involves complete surrender.OurLordsparableof thepearland themerchant-manreveals thatwemustbewilling to investeverysinglethingwehaveinobtainingthattre-

mendousprizeofeternal life.Ifweallowonethingoroneperson tocomebetweenusanddoingthewillofChrist,wecannotbesaved.

Havewebeenguiltyofdiscountingthepriceofdiscipleshipsothatpeoplewillnotfeelthat


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the path is too narrow and restrictive? Jesus

said, Whosoeverhebeofyou that forsakethnotallthathehath,hecannotbemydisciple(Luke14:33).TerichyoungrulerwastoldbyJesusthathelackedonlyonethinginhisprepa-rationforheaven,butthatonethinghewasnotwillingtodo.Hewouldhavetosurrenderhiswealthinordertobesaved,buthewasnotwill-ing togive itaway.He lovedsomethingmorethanhelovedtheLord,andhewentawaysor-rowfuland lost.TepositionofChristwassostrongonthispointthatHeevensaid,Hethat

loveth fatherormothermore thanme isnotworthyofme(Matthew10:37).

Now,Ibelievethatweshouldsearchforthekindliest,mosttactfulandlovingwaytopres-ent the claimsofChrist tomen andwomen.

ButIalsobelievethatitwillmakelittlediffer-encehowitispresentedifindividualshavenolove for theLord Jesus.Te faultdoesnot liewiththemessage;someofthefaultlieswiththepreachersinthewaytheypresentit,butmuch

ofthefaultliesintheattitudeofthecomplain-ingChristianwho feels rebellious against thetruthbecauseitrequiresadegreeofself-denial.

Let me illustrate how personal feelingsandattitudecanmakeallthedifferenceinthe


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world.Marriage is themost restrictive expe-

rience that anyhumanbeing canvoluntarilyassume in thisworld,aside fromhisspiritualcommitment toChrist. Temanpromises tosurrendermanyofhisformerattachmentsandpractices. He yields up his freedom to dateothergirls,andsolemnlybindshimselftothatone-and-onlyfortherestofhislife.Tebridealsomakessimilarrestrictivepledges,agreeingtoforsakeallothersinherdevotiontothemanatherside.Teweddingvowsareundoubtedlyamong themost narrow, rigid commitments

anyhumanbeingcanmake inhis lifetime.Ifrestrictionsandrulesarethecauseofsomuchmisery,thenweddingsshouldbethemostmis-erable,unhappyexperiencesforallconcerned.Butnotso!Teyarethehappiestevents.Why?

Whyisthebridesoradiantasshestandsuptopledgehervery lifeaway to thegroom?Howcan themanbesohappy tomake theprom-isesthatwillinhibithisactivitiesfortherestofhis life?Teanswer issimple.Tey loveeach

other. It is their attitude and feeling towardeach other that makes the restrictions ajoytoaccept.

Haveyoueverheardabridecomplainingafertheceremony?Probablynoonehasever


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Manyofthemhave learnedtherighttextsfor

theBiblestudycourseandarequiteabletoex-plaintheorderoflast-dayevents,buttheyhavehadnopersonal encounterwith JesusChrist.Somewhere, and perhaps everywhere, alongthe lines of the indoctrination theywerenottaught,ordidnotchoosetoaccept,thetrueba-sisofheartreligion.Itisnotasetofrulesoralistofdoctrines,butadeeplypersonalinvolve-mentinaloveaffairwiththemanJesusChrist.

TedifficultywithmillionsofChristiansistheirmotive forbeingchurchmembers.Tey

have a fire escape religion. Tey do certainthingsonlybecausetheyareafraidofthefireattheendoftheroad.TeyservetheLordfear-fullybecausetheytrembleatthethoughtofbe-ingcastintothelakeoffire.Nowondertheyare

long-faced andmiserable!What aperversionof the truth!Christians shouldbe thehappi-estpeopleintheworldhappiereventhanthenewlyweds as they leave thewedding chapel!TeChristianshouldlovetheLordevenmore

thanheloveshisownwifeandfamily.Doyouthinkahomecouldbehappyifthewifepreparedherhusbandsfavoritedisheachdaybecauseshe fearedhemightdivorceher?Earthly relationships would collapse under


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thisstrain.Shepreparesthatdishbecauseshe

loves her husband and wants to please him.Whenhiswifesbirthdayapproaches,aloving,Christian husband ofen watches and listensforanindicationofwhathiswifewouldliketohave.Andusuallyshedoesnthavetohithimovertheheadtolethimknow!Hegladlybuysherthegif becausehelovesherandwantstopleaseher.Inthesameway,theChristianwillbesearchingtheBibledailytodiscoverwaysofpleasingtheLord.Hewillconstantlybelook-ingforsignsandindicationsofhowtoplease

theOnehe lovessupremely.IntheTwentiethCenturytranslationoftheBible,wereadthesewords,Alwaysbetryingtofindoutwhatbestpleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10). What amotto foreveryChristian! Indeed, this is the

supreme desire of those who love the Lordsincerely.NowonderChrist summarized thefirst table of the law in these words: ToushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwithall thy soul,andwith all thymind.

Tis is the first and great commandment(Matthew22:37,38).TerealreasonsomeChristianschafeand

complainabout therulesand thestrictness isbecausetheyhaveonlyenoughreligiontomake


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themmiserable.TescopeoftheChristianex-

perience is based upon a constant struggleto liveup to the rulesan effort tokeep thelaw. Now certainly there is nothing wrongwithobeying thecommandmentsofGodanymorethanthereiswithahusbandobeyingthelaws to supporthiswife.But if the demandsof the laware theonly reason forobeying it,then something is seriously wrong with theChristianandwiththehusband.Lovelifs thelegalloadandmakesdelightfulwhatcouldbeaburdenandstrain.

Amotherof threeboyswashaving a ter-riblestruggletryingtoenforcethelawsofgoodgroomingandcleanliness.Likemostlittleboys,these three resisted the rules about washingears,combinghair,andshiningshoes.Itwasa

dailybattlethatMotherwononlythroughthelongarmofauthorityand force.Butonedaytheoldest boy, inhis early teens,walked outofhis room looking themodelof impeccableneatness.Everyhairseemedtobeinexactlythe

rightplace,andtheshoesbelowthewell-turnedcuff wereshiningtoperfection.Temotheral-mostfainted.Hardlyabletosuppresshersur-prise and delight, shewisely decided towaitandwatchfortheanswertothisturnofevents.


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Tesolutiontothepuzzlewasnotlongincom-

ing. TeverynextdayMother learned thatanewfamilyhadmovedindowntheblock,andtherewasagirlinthefamily.PerhapsthegirlhadnotseenJohnny,buthehadalreadyseenherand ithadprofoundlyaffectedhim.Wellnotsaythatitwaslovethatchangedhisattitudetowardthelawsofgoodgrooming,buthedefi-nitelywasntcleaningupfromfearofmothersenforcementanylonger.

Te point is that theChristian life is notcomposedofjustDOsandDONTs.Tere

are restrictions, to be sure, in this spiritualmarriage,just as there are in physical mar-riage. But those restrictions are imposed bylove that seeks always and ever toplease theobjectof theaffections.ToseChristianswho

are in lovewithChrist are exuberant, beam-ingwitnessesthatthis isthewayoftruehap-piness.Unfortunately,thereisalargergroupofchurchmemberswhoaremiserablyenduringwhatshouldbeblissfullyenjoyed.Teyarebit-

ter and complaining about not being able toeatwhat theypleaseordressas theywish to.Teyblamethechurchfortheirbeingforcedtogiveupsomanythings.Teirreligionseemsmuchlikethemanwithaheadache.Hedidnt


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want to cut off his head, but it hurt him to keep

it. Teir joyless attitude seems to assume thattheir religion is the product of some committeeof gloomy preachers bent on including all theprohibitive rules that make men, women, andyoung people unhappy.

But is this true? What about the spiritualprinciples that make up the doctrine that we callChristian standards? Is it an arbitrary churchlaw that one should not attend the theatre? Isit Gods decision or mans decision that moderndancing is improper for a Christian? And what

about the use of colorful cosmetics and jew-elryis it pleasing to God or displeasing? Tetruth is that every point of our faith and doc-trine should be based soundly upon the princi-ple of doing Gods will as revealed in the Bible.

Love for Him will always provide the question,How can I always be trying to find out whatbest pleases the Lord?

Te answer to that question is found inscores of Bible texts that give indications and

clear signals on how to please Him ratherthan ourselves. Tis is the only really relevantquestion concerning any activity or practice:What does God think about it? It doesnt mat-ter what this preacher or that preacher thinks


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of it,orwhat this churchor that churchbe-

lievesabout it.Tegreat,all-importantques-tionisthis:IsitpleasingordispleasingtotheLord? If we find texts that reveal that Goddoesnt approve, there should be no furtherdebateintheheartofagenuineChristian.WeloveHim toomuch to riskdispleasingHim.Our delight should be to find and executethose thingsthatpleasetheOnewe loveandto eliminate fromour lives those things thatdispleaseHim.

Whenpeopleareinlove,theydonotneed

tothreateneachotherorlaydownultimatums.Teyconstantlysearchforwaystoshowtheirloveandtopleaseoneanother.Tosewhoful-fillthefirstandgreatcommandofChristwillnot feel itaburden toobey.God issearching

for thosewhowill be sensitive to the slight-estindicationofHiswill.Heisnotpleasedbythose who must be constantly prodded intoline by fearofpunishment.God says: Iwillinstructtheeandteachtheeinthewaywhich

thoushaltgo:I will guide thee with mine eye.Beyenotasthehorse,orasthemule,whichhavenounderstanding;whosemouthmustbeheldinwithbitandbridle,lesttheycomenearuntothee(Psalm32:8,9,emphasisadded).


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Many Christians are bit-and-bridle fol-

lowers.Teyrespondonlytothreatsandobeybecause of fear of punishment. God says, Iwantyoutobecorrectedbya look fromme.Only thosewho loveHim supremelyandarewatching for indications ofHis pleasurewillrecognize the loving glance of correction.SearchingtheBiblewithonepurposetodis-cover what pleases Himthey will immedi-atelyobey the slightest revelationofHiswill.Tis is the essence of true Christianityorderingevery level of life in harmony with His revealed

will, because of love.

CHAPTER 2

COLORFUL COSMETICS AND JEWELRY

With this little background on how to

make lovethemotivatingfactorinset-tingupChristian standards,wearenowpre-pared to illustratehow theprincipleoperatesin practice. Although any one of the con-duct standardsof the church couldbeused,

letuschooseonethathasevokedconsiderablecomplaintcolorful cosmetics and jewelry.Multitudesofsinceremembershavelaidasidetheuseoftheseartificialadornmentsbecausethechurch says so. Tis isapoor reason for


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doinganythingintheChristianlife.Hopefully,

afer reading this chapter, the explanationsaboutarbitrarychurchrulesonthesubjectwillgivewaytopersonalconvictionbasedon lov-ingandpleasingtheLord.

Repeatedly, pastors have faced the ques-tions:What iswrongwithmy littleweddingring?Doyou thinkGodwill leavemeoutofheavenjustbecauseIwearthisbitofjewelry?MyownhearthasbeendismayedandtroubledonmanyoccasionsoverthisnegativeapproachtoChristianity.Pleasenotewhat thequestion

implies:Tequestionerisobviouslyseekingtoknowhowmuchhe cangetbywithand stillmakeittoheaven.Hisattitudereflectsalegal-isticdesire todoonly the things thatare laiddownasdivinedo-it-or-elselaws.

Butthisapproachiswrong,wrong,wrong!Te trueChristianwill not ask, Howmuchdo Ihave todo inorder to remainachildofGod? but rather, How much can I do toplease Jesuswhom I love? Tis is the posi-

tiveapproachbasedon seekingGodswillonthequestionand lovingHimenough toobeyHiswillhappilyasrevealedintheBible.Oncethisopen-hearted, lovingpremise isaccepted,itremainsonlytosearchthroughtheScripture


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to find indications of Gods will concerning the

use of colorful cosmetics and ornaments. Tiswe shall now proceed to do.In Genesis 35:1-4, Jacob was told by God

to take his family to Bethel where they wereto be presented at the altar of the Lord. Tiswas a very sacred spot to Jacobthe placeof his conversion in earlier days, aer seeingthe heavenly ladder in his dream. But beforethey could be consecrated at that holy spot,Jacob told his household to put away thestrange gods that are among you (verse 2).

Apparently, the family had picked up someof the heathen customs in their tarrying inthe land. Tere were certain objects that hadto be laid aside before they went up to the al-tar, because they were pagan objects. Please

notice, in verse 4, what these objects were:And they gave unto Jacob all the strange godswhich were in their hand, and all the ear-rings which were in their ears: and Jacob hidthem under the oak which was by Shechem.

In Judges 8:24, we are assured that earringswere worn by those who were Ishmaelites.Te context strongly implies that they woreornaments as a mark of their apostasy fromthe true God. Genesis 34 reveals that Jacobs


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sons had committed some grievous sins, and

Jacob was coming before God to make a sol-emn atonement for them and for his family.It was a time of heart-searching and repen-tance. Everything was done to make wrongright and to open the way for Gods blessingto come upon them. Te custom of wearingheathen ornaments was given up, along withthe strange gods. Te earrings were laid aside.

Under similar circumstances a reforma-tion took place in Exodus 33:1-6. A terribleapostasy had developed in the previous chap-

ter while Moses was in the mountain receivingthe en Commandments. A large number ofthe Israelites had worshipped the golden calf,bringing plague and destruction that threat-ened the nation. Moses called for them to re-

pent with these words: Consecrate yourselvestoday to the Lord, even every man upon hisson, and upon his brother; that he may bestowupon you a blessing this day (Exodus 32:29).

In the next chapter, Moses went up to the

tabernacle to plead with God for the people,who were still adorned with their heathen trap-pings from the day of indulgence and sin. Teinstruction God gave for the restoration of Israelincluded a change of dress, just as it had earlier in


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thecaseofJacobandhis family.Godsaid,Say

untothechildrenofIsrael,Yeareastiff-neckedpeople;Iwillcomeupintothemidstoftheeinamoment,andconsumethee:thereforenowputoff thyornaments from thee, that Imay knowwhattodountothee.AndthechildrenofIsraelstripped themselves of their ornaments by theMountHoreb(Exodus33:5,6).

We are lef innodoubt as to the attitudeofGodconcerningthewearingofthoseorna-ments. God, who changes not, told them totakeoff thosethingsandpresentthemselvesfor

judgment,toanswerfortheirapostasy.Itisofmorethanpassinginteresttonotethatthispro-hibitionwaslaiddowninconnectionwiththeirgoingintothePromisedLand.Godsaid,Iwillsendanangelbeforethee;andIwilldriveout

theCanaanite,theAmoriteforIwillnotgoupinthemidstofthee;forthouartastiffneckedpeople (Exodus33:2,3). It is significant thattheywere required to stripoff theornamentsbefore they could enter the Promised Land.

Doesthishaveanythingtodowithus?Indeeditdoes.Paulassuresusin1Corinthians10:11that all these things happened unto themfor ensamples: and they are written for ouradmonition,uponwhomtheendsoftheworld


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arecome.He likenstheirRedSeaexperience

tobaptisminverse2,andinverses7and8hereferstothegreatapostasyexperienceofIsraelin Exodus 32, when they made their goldencalf.Tenimmediatelyheexplainsinverse11that these things thathappened to themwereforouradmonition.TiscanonlymeanthatGodsdealingwiththemovertheirapostasyistoteachussomething.HiscommandforthemtoremovetheornamentsbeforegoingintothelandofCanaanappliestousbeforegoingintotheheavenlyCanaan.Teparallelisobviousin

thecontext.Te earliest record in existence concern-

ing the use of colorful cosmetics is found in2Kings9:30.ManyhavequestionedtheoriginoftheexpressionpainteduplikeJezebel.Te

answer is found in this text: Andwhen Jehuwas come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; andshepaintedher face,and tiredherhead,andlookedoutawindow. Tehistoryof that in-famous heathen queen, who put hundreds

ofGodsprophets todeath, iswell known toBible students.To trace the biblical origin ofthecustomtoJezebelcertainlycastsanunholyshadowoverthepractice.Butweshallseeinamomentthattheuseofcolorfulcosmeticswas


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aconsistentmarkofheathenwomenandun-

faithfulwomenthroughouttheBiblerecord.TroughtheprophetIsaiah,GodsentoneofthemostscathingdenunciationsofjewelrythatcanbefoundanywhereintheBible.Nowheredo we find a more direct and unequivocalrevelation ofGods feelings toward thewear-ingofornaments.InIsaiah3:16Goddoesnotgeneralize about ornaments, but gives a longlist of specific articles that were being wornby the daughters of Zion. Now, lets noticewhetherGod, the same yesterday, today, and

forever,waspleasedwiththewearingofthesethings.MoreovertheLordsaith,BecausethedaughtersofZionarehaughty,andwalkwithstretchedforthnecksandwantoneyes,walkingandmincingastheygo,andmakingatinkling

withtheirfeetinthatdaytheLordwilltakeaway thebraveryof their tinklingornamentsabouttheirfeet,andtheircauls,thechains,andthebracelets,andthemufflers,theorna-mentsofthelegs,andtheheadbands,andthe

tablets,and the earrings, Te rings,andnosejewels(Isaiah3:16-21).Letspause in themidstof thisrecitaland

askthequestion,howwillGodtakeawaythesethings? In thenext chapter,verse4,we read,


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When the Lord shall havewashed away the

filthofthedaughtersofZionbythespiritofjudgment,andbythespiritofburning.Dontoverlook the fact thatGod refers to all theseobjectsofadornmentasfilth.Hefurtherde-scribesmostgraphicallytheoneswhosurvivethewashingawayof theornament,In thatday shall thebranchof theLordbebeautifuland glorious, and the fruit of the earth shallbeexcellentandcomely for them thatarees-capedofIsrael.Anditshallcometopass,thathethatislef inZion,andhethatremainethin

Jerusalem,shallbecalledholy,eveneveryonethat iswrittenamongthe living inJerusalem(Isaiah4:2,3).

In bold, clear strokes, theprophet revealstheabhorrenceofGodforthemanifestationsof

prideinwearingornaments.Aferthewashingawayofthoseartificialbaubles,Goddescribesthewomenasbeingcomely,holy,andbeau-tiful.Apparently,Hedoesnotappraisebeautyin the sameway thatwedo. Tewomenput

onalltheirjewelrytomakethemselvesbeauti-ful,butGodsaiditwasfilthy.Whenitwasallwashed away,He said theywere comely andbeautiful.Donotmisstheextremesignificanceof this truth.Goduses thatwordcomely to


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describeHisBride,theChurch.Ihavelikened

thedaughterofZiontoacomelyanddelicatewoman(Jeremiah6:2).AsiftoreinforceHisassessmentofthein-

ordinate pride displayed in His people, Godmadethefollowingobservation:Teshewoftheircountenancedothwitnessagainst them;andtheydeclaretheirsinasSodom,theyhideitnot.Woeunto their soul! for theyhave re-wardedevilunto themselves (Isaiah3:9).Noquestion is permitted to remain about theshamefulnessofoutwardadornment.

ItwillbewelltotakenoteatthispointthatGodidentifiedringsaspartofthefilthofthedaughtersofZion.Whatkindofringswashetalkingabout?Highschoolseniorswillanswerimmediately,Myclassringissymbolicofmy

being a senior. Itsnotworn as anornament.Godwas talking about other kinds of rings.TeMasonwilldefendhisMasonicringinal-mostthesamewords:Godwasnttalkingaboutmyring.Itsimplyrepresentsmybelongingto

theLodge.And then thereare thebirthstonerings,theengagementrings,andtheweddingringstheyalsohavesymbolicmeanings.Howeasytojustifytheonewehappentobewearing,and to claim thatGodwasnot talking about


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thatone.ButhowdoweknowGodwasnttalk-

ingabouttheveryonewearewearing?WoulditnotbepresumptuoustofeelthatGodmakesanexception for theonewearewearing,justbecausewedontwanttogiveitup?

WhatdidGodmeanwhenHesaidrings?DidHemeanonlycertainkindsofrings?

Iaskedmymothera similarquestiononeday.Yousee,shehadforbiddenmetotakeanyicingoff thecakeaferitwasfrosted.Iwasper-mittedtolickthepanbyscrapingupallthatMotherlef inthebottomofthecontainer,but

itwasa lawof thehouse that Icouldnot re-moveanyfromthecake.

ButonedayMotherwent to thestoreandlefmealonewithabeautiful,fresh-madechoc-olatecakeinthemiddleofthetable.Iwatched

the luscious icing ooze down the side of thecake and collecton the rimof theplate. Tetemptationwastoogreat,andIquicklyscrapedupallthatexcess icingonmyfingerbutnotquickly enough. Just at thatmomentMother

walkedthroughthedoor.Believeme, Mother hauledme off to thebedroomveryquicklywhileItriedtoforestalltheinevitable.Istillrememberthecruxofmyfasttalktoescapepunishment.Mothersaid,I


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toldyounever to takeany icingoff thecake.

Triumphantly I replied, But you didnt saychocolatecake.Somehow, my wise Mother was not the

least impressedwith that less-than-sound bitofjuvenilelogic.Iwonderhowitmightsoundtoourall-wiseHeavenlyFatherwhenwe say,Butyoudidntsayweddingring.Andthatistrue.Motherjustsaidcake,andGodjustsaidrings,andtoquibbleoverwhatkindisbutachildishattempttojustifyourobviousviolationofGodsrevealedwill.

Aferall,whyarewesearchingtheBibleonthesubject?Arewenottryingtofindoutwhatbestpleases theLord?Wearenotseeking forwaystogetaroundwhatpleasesHim.OursolepurposeistofindHiswillinordertodoit.We

loveHim toomuch to risk displeasingHim.TisiswhythetrueChristianwillnotquibbleoverthekindofringorseekarationalizationingoingcontrarytoGodswill.Layasideallrings.Isnt it patently obvious that if one symbolic

ringcanbedefended, thenallsymbolic ringscanbedefended?Innoinstancedowefindanybiblicalprecedent forwearingaphysical signofmarriage. Tehistoryof thewedding ringis taintedwith pagan sun-worship and papal


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superstition.Notoneargumentputforwardin

its favor carries anyweight in comparison totheonegreat fact that it is not pleasing to theLord! AcarnalChristiancouldarguethatitisnotclearthatonewillbelostforwearingaring.But the Christian who loves God supremelywillanswerthatitisenoughtoknowthatitdis-pleasesourFriend.

Incidentally, history gives us avery clearpicture of the relationship between earlychurch apostasy and the introduction of thewedding ring. Te famousCatholicCardinal

JohnHenryNewmandescribeditin1845inhismonumental book Development of ChristianDoctrine, p. 373: Constantine, in order torecommend thenew religion to the heathen,transferredinto ittheoutwardadornmentsto

whichtheyhadbeenaccustomedintheirown.It isnotnecessary togo intoa subjectwhichthediligenceofProtestantwritershasmadefa-miliar tomostofus. Teuseof temples,andthesededicatedtoparticularsaintsincense

candlesholywaterprocessionsthering in marriage, turning to the east, imagesata laterdateareallofpaganorigin,andsanctifiedby theiradoption into theChurch(emphasisadded).


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Teprophet Jeremiah, like somanyother

Old Testament writers, added more counselconcerning the typeofpeoplewhoworearti-ficialornaments.Godmoveduponthoseholymen to represent the churchprophetically asawoman.WhenGodspeoplewerebackslid-den, theywereportrayedby theprophetasaharlotoranunfaithfulwife.Tuswereadtextslikethefollowing:Andwhenthouarespoiled,whatwiltthoudo?Toughthouclothest thy-self with crimson, though thou deckest theewith ornaments of gold, though thou rentest

thyfacewithpainting,invainshaltthoumakethyself fair; thy loverswill despise thee, theywillseekthylife(Jeremiah4:30).

Trough Ezekiel, God symbolized Hisapostatized people, Judah and Israel, by two

harlotsnamedAholahandAholibah.Hisde-scriptionoftheirboldornamentationmatchedthe lewdness of their conduct. And further-more,thatyehavesentformentocomefromfar,untowhomamessengerwassent;and,lo,

theycame:forwhomthoudidstwashthyself,paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyselfwithornaments(Ezekiel23:40).

Hosea expresses the same thought whenhedescribesthehypocrisyofIsrael.Again,the


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unfaithfulnesswaswelldramatizedbyadeco-

ratedwoman. And Iwillvisit upon her thedaysofBaalim,whereinsheburnedincensetothem,andshedeckedherselfwithherearringsandherjewels,and shewentaferher lovers,andforgatme,saiththeLord(Hosea2:13).

Over and over again, the Bible connectsthewearingofcolorfulcosmeticsandjewelrywithsin,apostasy,andheathenism.Whentheyturned away from the Lord they put on theornaments that, as Isaiah said, declare theirsin.Tereisnolackoftextsthatspelloutthe

truth clearly and without equivocationthegreatGodofheavenwasdispleasedwiththosethingsandused them tosymbolizedeparturefromHiswill.

Turning to the New Testament, the pic-

ture comes into even sharper focus. John, inthe book of Revelation, describes the scarletwoman of sin (symbolizing the false church)asdeckedwithgoldandpreciousstonesandpearls,havingagoldencupinherhandfullof

abominationsandfilthinessofherfornication(Revelation17:4).Incontrast, the truechurch isdepicted in

Revelation12:1asabeautifulwomanclothedwiththegloryofthesun.Tiswomaniscalled


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adorningofplaitingthehair,andofwearingof

gold,orofputtingonofapparel;But let itbethehiddenmanof theheart, in thatwhich isnotcorruptible,eventheornamentofameekandquietspirit,whichisinthesightofGodofgreatprice(1Peter3:1-4).

Tese words of Peter contain counsel foreveryChristianwife in thechurch today,andthey deal with one of the most perplexingproblems that faces Christian women whosehusbandsarenotwiththeminthefaith.Howfar should the believingwife go in trying to

pleaseherunregeneratehusband?Towhatde-greeshouldshecompromisethetruthofGodinlittlethingstokeepthingssmoothathomeandpossibly tohelpwinherhusband?Petersadvice issimpleandclear-cut:Dontcompro-

misetruthandprincipleatall.Evenifthewifeisnotpermitted tospeakabouther faith,shecanwinherhusbandbyherchasteconversa-tion.Other translationsuse themorepropertermconductinsteadofconversation.

ButnoticehowtheconductoftheChristianwifewillmanifest itself.Peterasserts that shewillwin her husbandmuchmore readily bylayingasidetheoutwardadornment.SurelytheSpiritofGod anticipated thedilemmaof the


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wifewho feels that sheneeds towearawed-

dingring topleaseherhusband,even thoughsheknowsitdoesnotpleasetheLord.Tistextmakes it exceedingly clear that God shouldcomefirst,andthatsuchadecisionalsowilldomoretowinthehusbandthananyothercourse.Hundredsofevangelistsandpastorscouldbearwitnessthatthisistrue.Tewomenwhoeven-tuallyleadtheirhusbandsintothefaitharetheoneswhoholdfirmlytothestandardofGodsWord.Teoneswhodonotwintheircompan-ionsarethosewhowill letdownthestandard

inlittlethingstobemorecompatiblewiththeirunbelievinghusbands.

Tis might seem contradictory, but thepractical resultsaredemonstrable.As longasthewifeisnotlivinguptoallthepointsofher

ownbelief,thehusbandfiguresthatitmustnotbeveryimportant.Hecannotgetexcitedaboutdoingsomethingthatdoesnotevenclaimthefullcomplianceofhissweet,Christianwife.ButifshedoestakeafirmstandtopleasetheLord

aboveallothers,eveninthefaceofhisowndis-pleasure,thehusbandisdeeplyimpressedthatthisreligionbitmustbeimportant.Heprob-ablywillsaynothingabouthistruefeelings.Hemight,infact,affectgreatindignation,buthis


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respectandadmirationwillbesecretlystirred

bythefirm,conscientiousstandofhiswife.Wemustanticipaterightheretheargumentthat isadvancedbythewiveswhoarenot in-clined topartwith theirwedding rings. Teysay,IdontwanttogiveupmyringbecauseitshowsthatIammarried.Improudofmyhus-band. Iwanteveryone toknow that Immar-ried.Ithinkmarriageisamostsacredandim-portantthing.Noonecanfindfaultwiththesesinceresentiments.Everywifeshouldloveherhusbandandbeproudofhim.Marriageisim-

portant,andsheshouldwanteveryonetoknowthatsheismarried.Butletsaskthisquestion:Isthereanythinginapersonslifethatismoreimportantthanmarriage?Yes,thereisjustonethingthat ismore importantthanbeingmar-

riedtoahusbandorwife,andthatistobemar-riedtoChrist.TeclaimsofChristslovearetheonlyclaimsthatshouldevertakepriorityovertheloveofhusbandandwife.InthelightofalltheoverwhelmingBibleevidence,wehavedis-

covered thatornamentsaredispleasing to theLord. It is true that theweddingringwill telleveryone that thewife ismarried toherhus-band,butitwillalsotellsomethingelse.Itwilltellthatshehaschosentopleaseherhusband


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evenabovetheLordJesus.Itwillrevealthatshe

isplacingsomeoneelseswillabovetheBible-revealedwillofGod.Assuch,itbearsawrongtestimonytotheworld.

Somemightobject that suchaconclusionistoostrong.Someareboundtosay,YouarejudgingandtestingmyChristianitybya littlethinglikearingoranornament.No,thisisnotthecase.ItisloveforGodthatisbeingtested,andtheBibleclearlypointsoutthecriteriaforthetest.Tattestnotonlyinvolveskeepingtheplainly revealed commandments ofGod, but

also includes layingasideeverythingelse thatwediscoverdoesnotpleaseHim.Here is theevidence:Andwhatsoeverweask,wereceiveofhim,becausewekeephiscommandments,and do those things that are pleasing in his

sight(1John3:22).Pleasedonotoverlookthetwothingsthat

true Christians will always be doing. Teyobey thedirect,overt requirements thatGodlaysdowninHis law,buttheyalsogofurther

bysearchingouteverythingthatwouldpleaseHim. In other words, they will obey the in-junctiontoalwaysbetryingtofindoutwhatbest pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10, 20thCentury Translation). Jesus exemplified and


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dramatizedthisdivineprincipleinHisownlife

and teachings.He said, TeFatherhathnotlef mealone;forIdoalwaysthosethingsthatplease him (John 8:29). Te arbitrary com-mandmentsareobviouseventoacarnalman,but the little things that please God are re-vealedonlytothelovingheartoftheChristianwhosearches theWord for indicationsofHiswill.Itisasolemnfactthatthosewhowillbesaved at the coming of Jesus are symbolizedbyEnoch,whowastranslatedthatheshouldnot see death for before his translation

he had this testimony, that he pleased God(Hebrews 11:5). Paul describes the gloriouscomingofChristin1Tessalonians4:16.Inthesame text,heportrays the resurrectionof therighteousdeadandthecatchingupoftherigh-

teous living.Butspeakingofthosesaintswhoshouldbereadyfortranslation,Paulsaid,Iex-hortyoubytheLordJesushowyeoughttowalkandtopleaseGod(1Tessalonians4:1).Oneof themarksof thosewhoareredeemed

outoftheearthistheirwillingnesstopleasetheLordineverything.Listen,ifyouknowacertainthingispleasing

totheLord,andyetyourefusetodoit,whatareyoureallydoing?Youarepleasingsomeoneelse


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abovetheLord.Youmightsay,Butitssucha

small,smallthing.Ofcourse,itisasmallthing,butloveisactuallytestedandprovenbythelittlethingswedoforoneanother.Askanyhousewifeifitisntso.Herhusbandmightgiveherawash-ingmachineonherbirthday,andshewouldap-preciateit.Butifhebringshomeflowersinthemiddleoftheweekandsays,Honey,letmedrythedishesforyou,anywifewilltellyouthatitmeansmorethanthewashingmachine.Why?Because it revealsmoreofhis true feelings todothelittlethingsthantodobigthingsthatare

more-or-lessexpected.GodispleasedwhenwekeepHis TenCommandments, butwe reallyshowourlovemorebygoingbeyondthecom-mandments, topleaseHim in the little thingsthatarerevealedintheBible.

Rightandwrongneverhavebeen,andnev-ershouldbe,measuredbytheamount.Itisthequality of sin, not the quantity, that presentsthelargestproblemtotheChristian.TeBiblereveals the fact thatcolorfulcosmetics, rings,

etc.,aredispleasing to theLord.TeWordofGod does not reveal that a certain quantityof colorful cosmetics iswrong or that a cer-tain typeornumberofrings isdispleasing toHim. Even the smallest deliberate violation


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of therevealedwillofGod isserious.It indi-

catesan inwardrebellionagainstplacingGodfirst. Tedevils favoriteargument today is alittlebit isallright.TiswasLots foolishar-gumentwhenhewasorderedbytheangelstofleeintothemountains.Hebeggedforpermis-siontogointoanothercityclosebySodomandGomorrah.Hisargumentwas,Isitnotalittleone? (Genesis 19:20). Can you understandwhyhewantedtogointoanothercityaferlos-ingeverythinghehadinSodom?Yetthesamerationalization isusedbymanyChristiansto-

day. Teydebateandquibbleover the sizeoftheirringortheamountoftheimmodesty.

Satan is delighted to hear people tryingto decidejust howmuch they shouldviolatethewillofGod.Neverforgetthis:Itisnotthe

degreeofthedeviationfromtheBiblestandardthatissoimportant,butitisthefactthatthereisadeviationthatconstitutestherealproblem.Tesizeofthestepisnotthethingofgreatestimportance,butrather thedirection inwhich

thestepleads.Sometimesministersareaccusedofmakingabigissueoutoftheweddingringbecausetheywaitforthecandidatetoremoveitbeforebeingbaptized.Actually,experiencehasproventhat


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the ring isnot theproblematall. Te ring is

merely the symptomofamuchmore seriousproblem: the lackof fullsurrender.When theheart isyielded,andGod ismade first in thelife,noconvertwillallowalittleringtostandin thewayofunitingwith thebodyofChristbybaptism.When love forChrist is strongerthanloveofselforhusbandorwife,thennoth-ingwill stand in theway, least of all a smallmetalring.

CHAPTER 3

STUMBLING BLOCKS

In thisfinalchapter,weshallgiveconsider-ation toanotheraspectofbiblicalevidenceon this subject that some consider to be themostpersuasiveofall.Itanswerstheobjection

raisedbythefewwhoarestillunconvincedthatjewelry isdispleasingtoGod.Inthemostex-plicitmanner,itdemolishesthelaststrongholdofdefenseforeventheweddingring.

Before moving into Pauls eloquent dis-

courseonthispoint,letusestablishafactthatiswellknowntoallwhoareengagedinfull-timesoul winning. Tose who persist in wearingtheir ornaments, afer becomingmembers ofthechurch,havebeenresponsibleforplacinga


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stumblingblockinthepathofinterestedsouls.

Almost any evangelist or pastor could breakyourheartwithstoriesofmenandwomenwhowereturnedbackalmostatthebaptistrybytheinconsistencyofafewchurchmembers.AferbeingtaughtthefullBibletruthaboutChristianstandards,thesecandidatesareshockedtoseechurchmembers,and sometimeschurchoffi-cers,wearingringsorotheradornment.Manydropbackindisappointmentandrefusetojointhechurchatall.

Someone is bound to object, Well, they

should not be looking at people so much.Teyoughttoacceptthetruthbecauseitisthetruth.Tisisverygoodandtrue,butjustre-memberthatwearedealingwithsoulswhoaresearching for loopholes around the unpopu-

larmessageof theBible. It isourbusiness tocloseevery loopholepatientlyandmeeteveryargumentsothattheyfinallysurrenderinfullobedience.Tefactisthatthesepeoplehavearighttoexpectthechurchtobepracticingwhat

it preaches.A few inconsistentmembers cancounteractmonthsofprayerfulstudyandprep-arationofcandidatesonthepartofthepastor.Itisntrightthatanyoneshouldbeastumblingblocktoanotherindividual.


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Paul penned themost solemnwarning to

those who would discourage a single soul intheir Christian growth. Let us not thereforejudgeoneanotheranymore:butjudgethisrath-er,thatnomanputastumblingblockoranocca-siontofallinhisbrothersway(Romans14:13).Jesusspokeoutontheverysametopic,exceptthat He described the enormity of causing achild to stumble.PerhapsHiswordswillhavemoremeaningforusifwereadthemwiththechildrens Sabbath School teachers in mind.Whoso shall offend one of these little ones

whichbelieveinme,itwerebetterforhimthatamillstonewerehangedaroundhisneck,andthatheweredrowned in thedepthof thesea(Matthew18:6).Seriouswords indeed!Butnomoreseriousthantheoffenseitdescribesthe

misleadingoflittlechildrenwholooktoteach-ersasexamples.Howofenhavelittlegirlsques-tionedtheBiblestandardsaboutringsafersee-ingaringonthefingerofafavoriteteacher?

In one particular church, a kindergarten

teacherwhoworeaweddingringwasidolizedby a littlegirl inherdepartment.During thechurch service, thechildwouldofenbeper-mittedtositwiththeteacherandherhusband.Since theyhadno childrenof theirown, the


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couplewasdelightedtohavethewell-behaved

littlegirlsitwiththem.Shewouldusuallyoccu-pyherselfwiththingsintheteacherspurse,butbeingofanaffectionatenature,shewouldclingto thehandofher teachermuchof the time.One Sabbathduring the sermon, thewomanglanceddownatthelittlegirlandnoticedshehadslippedoff theweddingringandplaceditaroundhersmallfinger.Somewhatperturbed,sherecovered theringandput itbackonherownfinger.

Weekbyweek,muchtoherchagrin,sheno-

ticedhowobsessed the totseemed tobewiththering.Shefondledandcaressedtheringandofen tried toremove itunobtrusively,so thatshe could slip it around her childish fingers.Tegrowingfascinationofthelittlegirlforthe

goldencirclebecameanincreasingconcerntotheolderwoman.KnowingtheBibleteachingsaboutornaments,herconsciencehadnotbeenateasefromthetimeshehadstartedwearingthering.Nowshewasunabletoenjoythewor-

ship service, as she sought todivert the girlsvainattentionfromthearticleofadornment.At last shecouldbear itno longer.Under

deepconviction that shewasplacinga stum-blingblockinthepathofthechild,sheremoved


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theoffendingringonceand forall.Later,she

related the experience to her pastor and de-scribedthefeelingsofguiltthattormentedherforplacingtemptationbeforethefaceofanin-nocentlittlegirl.

ButIdontseeanythingwrongwithrings.Why should I be a hypocrite and take themoff just to impress someone? Tis is aques-tion thatPaulanswerswithdevastating effectin1Corinthians8:1-13.Tatentirechapter isconcernedwith theproblemof foodsofferedtoidols.Teearlychurchwasseriouslydivid-

edover the issue.TeGentileChristianswhohad come in from paganism believed that itwaswrongtoeatsuchmeat.Teyrememberedoffering the food in sacrifice to idols. EventhoughtheywerenowChristians,theystillfelt

itwas somehow giving allegiance to the idoltoeatthefood.Ontheotherhand,theJewishChristianswhohadcomeintothechurchfromJudaismfeltthatthefoodwasperfectlygoodtoeat.Sincethemeatwasnotuncleanandsince

itwassoldalongwithothermeatsinthemar-ketplace, the JewishChristiansbought itwithnoquestionofconsciencewhatever.

Tecontentionbecame so severebetweenthetwogroupsthatPaulfinallyhadtodealwith


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it at considerable length in 1 Corinthians 8.

Noticehisdecisioninthematter:Asconcern-ingthereforetheeatingofthosethingsthatareoffered in sacrifice unto idols,we know thatanidolisnothingintheworld,andthatthereisnoneotherGodbutone.Howbeit thereisnot ineverymanthatknowledge:forsomewithconscienceoftheidoluntothishoureatitasathingoffereduntoanidol;andtheircon-sciencebeingweakisdefiled.Buttakeheedlestbyanymeansthislibertyofyoursbecomesastumblingblock to them thatareweak.For

ifanymansee theewhichhastknowledgesitatmeatintheidolstemple,shallnotthecon-scienceofhimwhichisweakbeemboldenedtoeatthosethingswhichareofferedtoidols;Andthroughthyknowledgeshalltheweakbrother

perish,forwhomChristdied?Butwhenyesinsoagainstthebrethren,andwoundtheirweakconscience,yesinagainstChrist(verses4-12).

Tese tremendousverses,with their spiri-tual focuson love forothers,applywitheven

greaterforcetothosewhofeelatlibertytowearrings in the church. Te application is stron-gerbecausetheornamentsarecondemnedbyGod,whereas themeatsoffered to idolswerenotcondemned.Still,Paulsaiditwasasinto


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eatsuchfoodbecauseitwasastumblingblock,

orhindrance,tosomeoneelse.Sincetheringshavebeenstumblingblocksinthesamewaytoother fellowChristians,wecannotescape theconclusion that such anoffense is also a sinagainstChrist.

Tis brings us right back to the centralthemeofthislittlebooklove.WhetherwearelookingatChristianstandardsfromtheview-pointoflovingandpleasingGodorlovingourneighbor,theresultisjustthesame.Tewholeidea is toput self lastofall.A religionbased

uponsuch lovewillnotbesatisfiedmerely tofulfill the letter of the Ten Commandmentsbutwillsearch theWordofGoddaily for in-dicationsofHiswill.AsJohnremindsus:Wekeephiscommandments,anddothosethings

that are pleasing in His sight (1John 3:22,emphasisadded).

MayIaskaquestionconcerningwhatyouhavereaduptothispoint?Hasitraisedadoubtaboutthewearingofornaments?Doestheevi-

denceofalltheseverses,scatteredthroughtheBible,suggestthatthepracticeisopentoques-tion?Onecouplesaid,Wearenotconvincedyet that God would keep us out of heavenforwearingapieceofjewelry. Iasked them,


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Eventhoughyoudontfeelyouwouldbelost

bywearing it,do themany textsraiseat leastsomequestionaboutthepracticemeetingthefullapprovalofGod?Oh,yes,theysaid,Wecannot say that the issue isnot abit cloudy.Mynextquestionwasthis:Doyouthinkthereisa10percentchance thatwearingyourringcouldbedispleasing toGod?Afer thinkingamoment, theybothagreedthattherewasatleastthatmuchchancethatitwasquestionable.TenIaskedthemthisquestion:Asyoustandonthebrinkofbaptismandthecompletesur-

renderofyour lives to theLord JesusChrist,doyouwanttoruna10percentchanceofdis-pleasing theLordwhohas laiddownHis lifeforyou?

Slowlytheyreacheddownandbegantore-

movetheirrings.No,thehusbandsaid,Wedontwant to run the smallest chanceofdis-pleasingHim.WewanttogoallthewaywithJesus.Sincethereisadoubt,wellgiveHimthebenefitofthedoubt.

Iwillnot try topretend that this kindofsurrender iseasy. Jesus said, Ifanymanwillcomeaferme,lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscrossdailyandfollowme.(Luke9:23).Saying no to self is what the Master was


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talkingabout.Hewassayingthateveryonewill

have tobattle itoutwith something that selfdoesntwanttosurrender.TeindividualwhoiscomingtoChristandlearningHiswayswillhavetodenyselfandsaynotosomethingthathiswholenaturecraves tokeep. Tat iswhatself-denialmeans.Somepeoplefailthetestatonepoint,andothersatadifferentpoint.Ihaveseensomewhocouldnotdenyselfonthepointofmoney.ToobeyGodmightjeopardizetheirjoborcuttheirsalary,andtheywerenotwillingtosayNototheirloveofmoney.Othershad

togiveup friends togoall theway infollow-ingChrist,and theywerenotwilling todenythemselvestheirfriends.Appetitehasstoodinthewayofmanywhowerenotwillingtodenythemselves the alcohol, tobacco, or unclean

foodsasrequiredintheBible.Afewhavefailedthetestonthepointofvanityandpride.Teyhavebeenunwillingtodenythemselvesthein-ordinate pride of dress.

Itisalwaysinterestingtoseehowthetruth

weedspeopleoutofanevangelisticaudience.Noonedropsoutuntilwepresent theclaimsofGodthatdemandachangeoflifeandprac-tice.IfwedidnotpreachallthecounselofGod,most listeners would gladly respond to the


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invitation.Struggletakesplacewhenthetruth

challengesadarling self-indulgence.Te testsoftheSabbath,tithe,anddietareallaimedatsomeelementof theself-nature.Many failoneachofthesepoints.Butstrangelyenough,thegreatestbattleseemstoensuewhenGodswilltouches the area of personal pride.Vanity isdeep and pervasive. Self-love has a thousandfacesandexhibitsitselfinasmanysubtleways.

Markitdown,somewherealongthelineforeverysoulthedevilwilluseselftomakealastdesperate standagainst thewillofGod.Only

thosewholoveChristwithalltheirheart,soul,andmindwillbeableorwilling tomake the100-percentsurrendertoHimthatisrequired.TehappiestpeopleintheworldarethosewholetnothingstandintheirwayofpleasingGod

ineverything.It has already been mentioned that

Christianswho livetopleasetheLordarethehappiest people in the world. Jesus said, Ifyekeepmycommandments,yeshallabide in

mylove;evenasIhavekeptmyFatherscom-mandments,andabideinhislove.TesethingshaveIspokenuntoyou,thatmyjoymightre-main inyou,and thatyour joy might be full(John15:10,11,emphasisadded).Nowonder,


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then, that fully committed Christians are so

easilyrecognized.Tereisaholyradianceandjoy shining fromwithin thateven transformsthecountenance.Althoughtheyhavelaidasidetheadornmentoftheworld,theyhaveputonanotheradornmentof theSpirit,which iden-tifies theminstantly.Somewomenfeelalmostnaked afer removing theirjewelry, butverysoon they recognize that God has replacedtheartificialwiththereal.Davidwrote,Teylookeduntohim,andwerelightened:andtheirfaceswerenotashamed(Psalms34:5).

It is this new look of the new-bornChristianthathascausedtheworldtomarvel.Foreveryevilthingthatisgivenup,thechildof God receives a spiritual replacement. AsPaulsaid,Letusthereforecastoff theworksof

darkness,andletusputonthearmouroflight(Romans 13:12).Andpleasenoticehowdra-maticthisexchangecanbewhenitinvolvestheclothes and adornment of an individual. TebrideofChristreceivesspecialattention.Isaiah

contrasts themarriage dress ofGods peoplewith thedressof theworld.Iwillgreatlyre-joiceintheLord,mysoulshallbejoyfulinmyGod;forhehathcoveredmewiththegarmentsofsalvation,hehathcoveredmewiththerobe


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Shehas lost and regained faith.And as a re-

sultsheshouldbewiser,gentler,morepatientandmoretolerantthanshewaswhenshewasyounger.Hersenseofhumorshouldhavemel-lowed,heroutlook shouldhavewidened,hersympathiesshouldhavedeepened.Andallthisshouldshow.Ifshetriestoerasetheimprintofage,sherunstheriskofdestroying,atthesametime,theimprintofexperienceandcharacter(Words of Inspiration,p.198).

What a tremendous truth is contained inthat statement!Christianwomen have awit-

ness to bear by the expression of their faces.Righteousness,dignity,purity, and calm faithinGodthese attributes are ofen clearly re-vealedbythecountenancealone.PerhapsthisiswhatJesusmeantwhenHesaid,Letyourlight

so shinebeforemen, that theymay see yourgoodworks,andglorifyyourFatherwhich isinHeaven(Matthew5:16).Tespirituallightandradianceofanunadornedfacemightevenattractmoreattention to the religionof Jesus

ChristthanadozensermonsorBiblestudies.We have spent considerable time on thesubject of artificial adornment in order todemonstratehowloveleadstotheBiblesothatwecan searchoutwhatpleases theLord.We


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couldjust as well have used other examples

of Christian standards. Te same principlesprovide themotivation for seeking always topleaseHim inwhatwedo aboutprovocativedancing,movies,gambling,diet,anddress. Itcouldbeshownjustasclearly that thesehighstandardsofthechurcharenotbaseduponanycommitteeofmen,butupontherevealedwillofGodinHisWord.MayGodhelpustofindourgreatestjoyanddelightindoingthethingsthatpleaseHim.


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