One of the most glorious aspects of the Christian church is that it’s designed to be a place where men, women, slaves, free, Jews, Gentiles, rich, and poor are all equal in Christ. Unity was (and still is) a huge deal. Sadly, many Christians have only furthered the division with legalistic teachings on what modesty is.
When the Bible addresses modesty, it does not address covering skin to prevent lust. The issue was with the gold, pearls, and costly attire that created division within the socioeconomic classes present in a church gathering.
Can I be frank? Our opinions on this issue of modesty make it difficult for believers to walk in unity. If I’m with this group of people, I remember I need to skip the ripped jeans and leggings without a long shirt. If I’m with that group of people, no strappy tank tops or bikinis. Meanwhile, to try to keep up with restrictions so I could be like Paul, being to men “all things” for the sake of the gospel, there have been times when I have had to pay out extra money for new jeans, swimsuits, and longer shorts that are really difficult to find.
This whole thing has gone full circle. Think about it. We’ve created financial obstacles/stumbling blocks that keep people apart while pointing our fingers at young ladies, calling them “stumbling blocks” for simply coming of age.
Our young ladies are not stumbling blocks! They’re precious and valuable and wonderfully created. If our concern is for our men and boys being “tempted” to lust, let’s begin developing curriculums that teach them how to poke their eyes out, live for Christ, become living sacrifices, and put away unholy desires that would keep them from valuing females and seeing them as equals.
How can we bridge these gaps or divisions we’ve created? Walking in love is a good place to start. In fact, it’s the only place to start!
Teach what you want to your kids at home, but let’s respect others enough not to heap condemnation on other families for not clinging to our personal convictions. I want my girls to grow up free, loving God with every fiber of their being, fully knowing their worth, and not fearing they will disappoint God with their bodies. I don’t want them fearfully tiptoeing on eggshells to get to the altar if their desire is to run there with full abandonment to fall at the feet of Jesus. We’ve created legalistic stumbling blocks when our rules cause others to hold back from pursuing God. Perfect love casts out fear. Let’s trust God to be God regarding opinions that are non-salvation issues and find every opportunity to walk in unity with other believers, especially concentrating on those we disagree with! That’s what it is going to take if we want real unity.
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