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Almost everyone would agree that there’s some point where enough jewelry is enough. Well, what is that point? Find out what God’s Word says on this fascinating subject.

Discover the secrets of true revival in a time of troubling spiritual laziness. A must-have for the church!

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Jewelry: How Much Is Too Much?BK-JHM

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CONTENTS1. AFireEscapeReligion . . . . . . . . . . . .12. ColorfulCosmeticsandJewelry . . . . . 133. StumblingBlocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

CHAPTER lA FIRE ESCAPE RELIGION

One of the most frequent and mistakencomplaints thatpeoplemakeagainst re-

ligionisthatitistoorestrictive.Inthispermis-sive age, when all the emphasis seems to beupon“doingyourownthing,”anunreasonableattitudeofself-willhasdeveloped.Thisattitudehasevenintrudedintoreligion.Churchmem-bersandnon-membersseemtobeinquestofthesamething:areligionthatdoesnotinterferewith personal rights and freedom. Suspicion

Colorful Cosmetics and Jewelry2

is aroused instantly against anydoctrine thatdemandsthe“givingup”ofanything.

As this liberal spirit has grown stronger,manychurchmembershaveturnedmoreandmorecriticalofthehighspiritualstandardsup-heldbythechurch.Obviouslyembarrassedbythewideninggapbetweenthechurchandtheworld,andunwillingtomeetthesocialstigmaofbeinga“peculiar”minority,thesemembershavesoughttojustifytheircompromiseintheareaofChristian standards. Theyoften arguethat thechurch isbeingnarrowand legalisticand thatmany finepeoplearebeingdiscour-agedfromjoiningthechurchbythis“arbitraryimpositionofrules.”

Ifthesecomplaintsarevalid,thensomeba-sicchangessurelyneedtobemadeinthedoc-trineofthechurch.Iftheyarenotvalid,thenwe desperately need to know how to presentthestandardsofChristianconductintheirtruebiblicalsetting.Inotherwords,wemustdefi-nitelyestablishwhethertheserulesweremadebyGodorbythechurch.WemustalsofindoutiftheyarearbitraryprohibitionsorGod’slov-ingregulationsforourownhappiness.

Incontrasttothepopularrevoltagainstanyabsolute law of individual conduct, we must

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considertheBiblefactsabouttheChristianlifeingeneralandmoralsinparticular.Howcom-patiblearethesemodemdemandsforpersonalfreedomwiththestandardsofGod’sWord?Letussupposethatthetruebiblicalpositioncouldbepresentedwithalltheloveandpersuasionofanangelfromheaven.Wouldthetruthbeeasyforanyonetoaccept?

Let’sfaceit.Thepathtoeternallifeisnotasoft, flowerywayof ease. Jesus laid such em-phasisuponthisinsomanytextsthatwecan-notbeblindtoit.Hesaid,“Straitisthegate,andnarrowistheway,whichleadethuntolife,andfewtherebethatfindit”(Matthew7:14).OneoftheveryfirstprinciplesofbeingaChristianisself-denial.Christsaid,“Ifanymanwillcomeafterme,lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscrossdaily,andfollowme”(Luke9:23).TobeaChristian involves complete surrender.OurLord’sparableof thepearland themerchant-manreveals thatwemustbewilling to investeverysinglethingwehaveinobtainingthattre-mendousprizeofeternal life.Ifweallowonethingoroneperson tocomebetweenusanddoingthewillofChrist,wecannotbesaved.

Havewebeenguiltyofdiscountingthepriceofdiscipleshipsothatpeoplewillnotfeelthat


the path is too narrow and restrictive? Jesussaid, “Whosoeverhebeofyou that forsakethnotallthathehath,hecannotbemydisciple”(Luke14:33).TherichyoungrulerwastoldbyJesusthathelackedonlyonethinginhisprepa-rationforheaven,butthatonethinghewasnotwillingtodo.Hewouldhavetosurrenderhiswealthinordertobesaved,buthewasnotwill-ing togive itaway.He lovedsomethingmorethanhelovedtheLord,andhewentawaysor-rowfuland lost.ThepositionofChristwassostrongonthispointthatHeevensaid,“Hethatloveth fatherormothermore thanme isnotworthyofme”(Matthew10:37).

Now,Ibelievethatweshouldsearchforthekindliest,mosttactfulandlovingwaytopres-ent the claimsofChrist tomen andwomen.ButIalsobelievethatitwillmakelittlediffer-encehowitispresentedifindividualshavenolove for theLord Jesus.The faultdoesnot liewiththemessage;someofthefaultlieswiththepreachersinthewaytheypresentit,butmuchofthefaultliesintheattitudeofthecomplain-ingChristianwho feels rebellious against thetruthbecauseitrequiresadegreeofself-denial.

Let me illustrate how personal feelingsandattitudecanmakeallthedifferenceinthe


world.Marriage is themost restrictive expe-rience that anyhumanbeing can voluntarilyassume in thisworld,aside fromhisspiritualcommitment toChrist. Themanpromises tosurrendermanyofhisformerattachmentsandpractices. He yields up his freedom to dateothergirls,andsolemnlybindshimselftothatone-and-onlyfortherestofhislife.Thebridealsomakessimilarrestrictivepledges,agreeingtoforsakeallothersinherdevotiontothemanatherside.Theweddingvowsareundoubtedlyamong the most narrow, rigid commitmentsanyhumanbeingcanmake inhis lifetime.Ifrestrictionsandrulesarethecauseofsomuchmisery,thenweddingsshouldbethemostmis-erable,unhappyexperiencesforallconcerned.Butnotso!Theyarethehappiestevents.Why?Whyisthebridesoradiantasshestandsuptopledgehervery lifeaway to thegroom?Howcan themanbesohappy tomake theprom-isesthatwillinhibithisactivitiesfortherestofhis life?Theanswer issimple.They loveeachother. It is their attitude and feeling towardeach other that makes the restrictions a joytoaccept.

Haveyou everheardabride complainingaftertheceremony?Probablynoonehasever


heard her say bitterly, “Now I can’t date Jimand Andy anymore. It’s not fair. The State isforcingmetobefaithfultomyhusband.Thismarriedbusinessistoorestrictive.”No,you’venotheardthat.Publicopinionisreadytocon-demn the bride if she commits adultery, butshedoesn’teventhinkofsuchapossibility.Sheisinlove,andlovechangeseverything.Sheisnot being faithful because of fear of punish-mentorreproach.Sheisbeingfaithfulbecauseshewantstopleasethepersonwhomshelovessodeeply.

The most miserable men and women inthisworld are theoneswho aremarried andno longer love eachother.Here is almost lit-erallyhellonearth.Theychafeandcomplainabout the restrictions and impositions uponthem.Similarly, theunhappiestchurchmem-bers in all theworld are thosewho aremar-riedtoChristthroughbaptism,andyetdonotloveHim.Theyareoftenbitterlyblaming thechurchandtheirinstructorsforimposinguponthemtheirnarrow,restrictivereligion.

Butisitthereligionorthepastorswhoareatfault?Thesadfactisthatthosepeoplehavenever entered the personal love-relationshipthat is the cornerstone of all true religion.


Manyofthemhave learnedtherighttextsfortheBiblestudycourseandarequiteabletoex-plaintheorderoflast-dayevents,buttheyhavehadnopersonal encounterwith JesusChrist.Somewhere, and perhaps everywhere, alongthe lines of the indoctrination they were nottaught,ordidnotchoosetoaccept,thetrueba-sisofheartreligion.Itisnotasetofrulesoralistofdoctrines,butadeeplypersonalinvolve-mentinaloveaffairwiththemanJesusChrist.

ThedifficultywithmillionsofChristiansistheirmotive forbeingchurchmembers.Theyhave a fire escape religion. They do certainthingsonlybecausetheyareafraidofthefireattheendoftheroad.TheyservetheLordfear-fullybecausetheytrembleatthethoughtofbe-ingcastintothelakeoffire.Nowondertheyarelong-faced andmiserable!What aperversionof the truth!Christians shouldbe thehappi-estpeopleintheworld—happiereventhanthenewlyweds as they leave thewedding chapel!TheChristianshouldlovetheLordevenmorethanheloveshisownwifeandfamily.

Doyouthinkahomecouldbehappyifthewifepreparedherhusband’sfavoritedisheachdaybecauseshe fearedhemightdivorceher?Earthly relationships would collapse under


thisstrain.Shepreparesthatdishbecausesheloves her husband and wants to please him.Whenhiswife’sbirthdayapproaches,aloving,Christian husband often watches and listensforanindicationofwhathiswifewouldliketohave.Andusuallyshedoesn’thavetohithimovertheheadtolethimknow!Hegladlybuysherthegiftbecausehelovesherandwantstopleaseher.Inthesameway,theChristianwillbesearchingtheBibledailytodiscoverwaysofpleasingtheLord.Hewillconstantlybelook-ingforsignsandindicationsofhowtopleasetheOnehe lovessupremely.IntheTwentiethCenturytranslationoftheBible,wereadthesewords,“Alwaysbetryingtofindoutwhatbestpleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). What amotto foreveryChristian! Indeed, this is thesupreme desire of those who love the Lordsincerely.NowonderChrist summarized thefirst table of the law in these words: “ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwith all thy soul, andwith all thymind.This is the first and great commandment”(Matthew22:37,38).

TherealreasonsomeChristianschafeandcomplainabout therulesand thestrictness isbecausetheyhaveonlyenoughreligiontomake


themmiserable.ThescopeoftheChristian“ex-perience” is based upon a constant struggleto liveup to the rules—an effort to keep thelaw. Now certainly there is nothing wrongwithobeying thecommandmentsofGodanymorethanthereiswithahusbandobeyingthelaws to support his wife. But if the demandsof the law are theonly reason forobeying it,then something is seriously wrong with theChristianandwiththehusband.Loveliftsthelegalloadandmakesdelightfulwhatcouldbeaburdenandstrain.

Amotherof threeboyswashaving a ter-riblestruggletryingtoenforcethelawsofgoodgroomingandcleanliness.Likemostlittleboys,these three resisted the rules about washingears,combinghair,andshiningshoes.ItwasadailybattlethatMotherwononlythroughthelongarmofauthorityand force.Butonedaythe oldest boy, in his early teens, walked outofhis room looking themodelof impeccableneatness.Everyhairseemedtobeinexactlytherightplace,andtheshoesbelowthewell-turnedcuffwereshiningtoperfection.Themotheral-mostfainted.Hardlyabletosuppresshersur-prise and delight, she wisely decided to waitandwatchfortheanswertothisturnofevents.


Thesolutiontothepuzzlewasnotlongincom-ing. TheverynextdayMother learned thatanewfamilyhadmovedindowntheblock,andtherewasagirl inthefamily.PerhapsthegirlhadnotseenJohnny,buthehadalreadyseenherand ithadprofoundlyaffectedhim.We’llnotsaythatitwaslovethatchangedhisattitudetowardthelawsofgoodgrooming,buthedefi-nitelywasn’tcleaningupfromfearofmother’senforcementanylonger.

The point is that the Christian life is notcomposedofjust“DOs”and“DON’Ts.”Thereare 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 to please theobjectoftheaffections.ThoseChristianswhoare in love with Christ are exuberant, beam-ingwitnesses that this is thewayof truehap-piness.Unfortunately,thereisalargergroupofchurchmemberswhoaremiserablyenduringwhatshouldbeblissfullyenjoyed.Theyarebit-ter and complaining about not being able toeatwhat theypleaseordressas theywish to.Theyblamethechurchfortheirbeingforcedto“giveup”somanythings.Theirreligionseemsmuchlikethemanwithaheadache.Hedidn’t


want to cut off his head, but it hurt him to keep it. Their joyless attitude seems to assume that their religion is the product of some committee of gloomy preachers bent on including all the prohibitive rules that make men, women, and young people unhappy.

But is this true? What about the spiritual principles that make up the doctrine that we call Christian standards? Is it an arbitrary church law that one should not attend the theatre? Is it God’s decision or man’s decision that modern dancing is improper for a Christian? And what about the use of colorful cosmetics and jew-elry—is it pleasing to God or displeasing? The truth is that every point of our faith and doc-trine should be based soundly upon the princi-ple of doing God’s will as revealed in the Bible. Love for Him will always provide the question, How can I always be trying to find out what best pleases the Lord?

The answer to that question is found in scores of Bible texts that give indications and clear signals on how to please Him rather than ourselves. This is the only really relevant question concerning any activity or practice: What does God think about it? It doesn’t mat-ter what this preacher or that preacher thinks


of it,orwhat this churchor that churchbe-lievesabout it.Thegreat,all-importantques-tionisthis:IsitpleasingordispleasingtotheLord? If we find texts that reveal that Goddoesn’t approve, there should be no furtherdebateintheheartofagenuineChristian.WeloveHim toomuch to riskdispleasingHim.Our delight should be to find and executethosethingsthatpleasetheOnewe loveandto eliminate fromour lives those things thatdispleaseHim.

Whenpeopleareinlove,theydonotneedtothreateneachotherorlaydownultimatums.Theyconstantlysearchforwaystoshowtheirloveandtopleaseoneanother.Thosewhoful-fillthefirstandgreatcommandofChristwillnot feel itaburden toobey.God issearchingfor those who will be sensitive to the slight-estindicationofHiswill.Heisnotpleasedbythose who must be constantly prodded intoline by fear of punishment. God says: “I willinstructtheeandteachtheeinthewaywhichthoushaltgo:I will guide thee with mine eye.Beyenotasthehorse,orasthemule,whichhavenounderstanding;whosemouthmustbeheldinwithbitandbridle,lesttheycomenearuntothee”(Psalm32:8,9,emphasisadded).


Many Christians are “bit-and-bridle” fol-lowers.Theyrespondonlytothreatsandobeybecause of fear of punishment. God says, “Iwantyoutobecorrectedbya look fromme.”Only thosewho loveHim supremelyandarewatching for indications of His pleasure willrecognize the loving glance of correction.SearchingtheBiblewithonepurpose—todis-cover what pleases Him—they will immedi-atelyobey the slightest revelationofHiswill.This is the essence of true Christianity—ordering every level of life in harmony with His revealed will, because of love.

CHAPTER 2COLORFUL COSMETICS AND JEWELRY

With this little background on how tomake lovethemotivatingfactor inset-

tingupChristian standards,we arenowpre-pared to illustratehow theprincipleoperatesin practice. Although any one of the “con-duct” standardsof the church couldbeused,letuschooseonethathasevokedconsiderablecomplaint—colorful cosmetics and jewelry.Multitudesofsinceremembershavelaidasidetheuseoftheseartificialadornments“becausethechurch says so.” This isapoor reason for


doinganythingintheChristianlife.Hopefully,after reading this chapter, the explanationsaboutarbitrarychurchrulesonthesubjectwillgivewaytopersonalconvictionbasedon lov-ingandpleasingtheLord.

Repeatedly, pastors have faced the ques-tions:“What iswrongwithmy littleweddingring?Doyou thinkGodwill leavemeoutofheavenjustbecauseIwearthisbitofjewelry?”MyownhearthasbeendismayedandtroubledonmanyoccasionsoverthisnegativeapproachtoChristianity.Pleasenotewhat thequestionimplies:Thequestionerisobviouslyseekingtoknowhowmuchhe cangetbywithand stillmakeittoheaven.Hisattitudereflectsalegal-isticdesire todoonly the things thatare laiddownasdivine“do-it-or-else”laws.

Butthisapproachiswrong,wrong,wrong!The true Christian will not ask, “How muchdo Ihave todo inorder to remainachildofGod?” but rather, “How much can I do toplease Jesus whom I love?” This is the posi-tiveapproachbasedon seekingGod’swillonthequestionand lovingHimenough toobeyHiswillhappilyasrevealedintheBible.Oncethisopen-hearted, lovingpremise isaccepted,itremainsonlytosearchthroughtheScripture


to find indications of God’s will concerning the use of colorful cosmetics and ornaments. This we shall now proceed to do.

In Genesis 35:1-4, Jacob was told by God to take his family to Bethel where they were to be presented at the altar of the Lord. This was a very sacred spot to Jacob—the place of his conversion in earlier days, after seeing the heavenly ladder in his dream. But before they could be consecrated at that holy spot, Jacob told his household to “put away the strange gods that are among you” (verse 2). Apparently, the family had picked up some of the heathen customs in their tarrying in the land. There were certain objects that had to 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 gods which were in their hand, and all the ear-rings which were in their ears: and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.” In Judges 8:24, we are assured that earrings were worn by those who were Ishmaelites. The context strongly implies that they wore ornaments as a mark of their apostasy from the true God. Genesis 34 reveals that Jacob’s


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 wrong right and to open the way for God’s blessing to come upon them. The custom of wearing heathen ornaments was given up, along with the strange gods. The earrings were laid aside.

Under similar circumstances a reforma-tion took place in Exodus 33:1-6. A terrible apostasy had developed in the previous chap-ter while Moses was in the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments. A large number of the 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 yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon 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. The instruction God gave for the restoration of Israel included a change of dress, just as it had earlier in


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

We are left innodoubt as to the attitudeofGodconcerningthewearingofthoseorna-ments. God, who changes not, told them totakeoffthosethingsandpresentthemselvesforjudgment,toanswerfortheirapostasy.Itisofmorethanpassinginteresttonotethatthispro-hibitionwaslaiddowninconnectionwiththeirgoingintothePromisedLand.Godsaid,“Iwillsendanangelbeforethee;andIwilldriveouttheCanaanite,theAmorite…forIwillnotgoupinthemidstofthee;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


arecome.”He likenstheirRedSeaexperiencetobaptisminverse2,andinverses7and8hereferstothegreatapostasyexperienceofIsraelin Exodus 32, when they made their goldencalf.Thenimmediatelyheexplainsinverse11that these things thathappened to themwerefor“ouradmonition.”ThiscanonlymeanthatGod’sdealingwiththemovertheirapostasyistoteachussomething.HiscommandforthemtoremovetheornamentsbeforegoingintothelandofCanaanappliestousbeforegoingintotheheavenlyCanaan.Theparallelisobviousinthecontext.

The earliest record in existence concern-ing the use of colorful cosmetics is found in2Kings9:30.Manyhavequestionedtheoriginoftheexpression“painteduplikeJezebel.”Theanswer is found in this text: “Andwhen Jehuwas come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; andshepaintedher face,and tiredherhead,andlookedoutawindow.” Thehistoryof that in-famous heathen queen, who put hundredsof God’s prophets to death, is well known toBible students. To trace the biblical origin ofthecustomtoJezebelcertainlycastsanunholyshadowoverthepractice.Butweshallseeinamomentthattheuseofcolorfulcosmeticswas


aconsistentmarkofheathenwomenandun-faithfulwomenthroughouttheBiblerecord.

ThroughtheprophetIsaiah,GodsentoneofthemostscathingdenunciationsofjewelrythatcanbefoundanywhereintheBible.Nowheredo we find a more direct and unequivocalrevelation of God’s feelings toward the wear-ingofornaments.InIsaiah3:16Goddoesnotgeneralize about ornaments, but gives a longlist of specific articles that were being wornby the “daughters of Zion.” Now, let’s noticewhether God, the same yesterday, today, andforever,waspleasedwiththewearingofthesethings.“MoreovertheLordsaith,BecausethedaughtersofZionarehaughty,andwalkwithstretchedforthnecksandwantoneyes,walkingandmincingastheygo,andmakingatinklingwiththeirfeet…inthatdaytheLordwilltakeaway thebraveryof their tinklingornamentsabouttheirfeet,andtheircauls,…thechains,andthebracelets,andthemufflers,…theorna-mentsofthelegs,andtheheadbands,andthetablets, and the earrings, The rings, andnosejewels”(Isaiah3:16-21).

Let’spause in themidstof thisrecitalandaskthequestion,howwillGodtakeawaythesethings? In thenext chapter, verse4,we read,


“When the Lord shall have washed away thefilthofthedaughtersofZion…bythespiritofjudgment,andbythespiritofburning.”Don’toverlook the fact that God refers to all theseobjectsofadornmentas“filth.”Hefurtherde-scribesmostgraphicallytheoneswhosurvivethe“washingaway”of theornament,“In thatday shall thebranchof theLordbebeautifuland glorious, and the fruit of the earth shallbeexcellentandcomely for them thatarees-capedofIsrael.Anditshallcometopass,thathethatisleftinZion,andhethatremainethinJerusalem,shallbecalledholy,eveneveryonethat iswrittenamong the living inJerusalem”(Isaiah4:2,3).

In bold, clear strokes, the prophet revealstheabhorrenceofGodforthemanifestationsofprideinwearingornaments.Afterthewashingawayofthoseartificialbaubles,Goddescribesthewomenasbeing“comely,”“holy,”and“beau-tiful.”Apparently,Hedoesnotappraisebeautyin the sameway thatwedo. Thewomenputonalltheirjewelrytomakethemselvesbeauti-ful,butGodsaiditwasfilthy.Whenitwasallwashed away, He said they were comely andbeautiful.Donotmisstheextremesignificanceof this truth.Goduses thatword“comely” to


describeHisBride,theChurch.“IhavelikenedthedaughterofZiontoacomelyanddelicatewoman”(Jeremiah6:2).

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

ItwillbewelltotakenoteatthispointthatGodidentifiedringsaspartofthe“filthofthedaughtersofZion.”Whatkindofringswashetalkingabout?Highschoolseniorswillanswerimmediately,“Myclassringissymbolicofmybeing a senior. It’snotworn as anornament.God was talking about other kinds of rings.”TheMasonwilldefendhisMasonicringinal-mostthesamewords:“Godwasn’ttalkingaboutmyring.ItsimplyrepresentsmybelongingtotheLodge.”And then thereare thebirthstonerings,theengagementrings,andtheweddingrings—theyalsohavesymbolicmeanings.Howeasytojustifytheonewehappentobewearing,and to claim thatGodwasnot talking about


thatone.ButhowdoweknowGodwasn’ttalk-ingabouttheveryonewearewearing?WoulditnotbepresumptuoustofeelthatGodmakesanexception for theonewearewearing, justbecausewedon’twanttogiveitup?

WhatdidGodmeanwhenHesaid“rings?”DidHemeanonlycertainkindsofrings?

Iaskedmymothera similarquestiononeday.Yousee,shehadforbiddenmetotakeanyicingoffthecakeafteritwasfrosted.Iwasper-mittedto“lickthepan”byscrapingupallthatMotherleftinthebottomofthecontainer,butitwasa lawof thehouse that Icouldnot re-moveanyfromthecake.

ButonedayMotherwent to thestoreandleftmealonewithabeautiful,fresh-madechoc-olatecakeinthemiddleofthetable.Iwatchedthe luscious icing ooze down the side of thecake and collecton the rimof theplate. Thetemptationwastoogreat,andIquicklyscrapedupallthatexcess icingonmyfinger—butnotquickly enough. Just at that moment Motherwalkedthroughthedoor.

Believe me, Mother hauled me off to thebedroomveryquicklywhileItriedtoforestalltheinevitable.Istillrememberthecruxofmyfasttalktoescapepunishment.Mothersaid,“I


toldyounever to takeany icingoff thecake.”Triumphantly I replied, “But you didn’t saychocolatecake.”

Somehow, my wise Mother was not theleast impressed with that less-than-sound bitofjuvenilelogic.Iwonderhowitmightsoundtoourall-wiseHeavenlyFatherwhenwe say,“Butyoudidn’tsayweddingring.”Andthatistrue.Motherjustsaid“cake,”andGodjustsaid“rings,”andtoquibbleoverwhatkindisbutachildishattempttojustifyourobviousviolationofGod’srevealedwill.

Afterall,whyarewesearchingtheBibleonthesubject?Arewenottryingtofindoutwhatbestpleases theLord?Wearenotseeking forwaystogetaroundwhatpleasesHim.OursolepurposeistofindHiswillinordertodoit.Welove Him too much to risk displeasing Him.ThisiswhythetrueChristianwillnotquibbleoverthekindofringorseekarationalizationingoingcontrarytoGod’swill.Layasideallrings.Isn’t it patently obvious that if one symbolicringcanbedefended, thenall symbolic ringscanbedefended?Innoinstancedowefindanybiblicalprecedent forwearingaphysical signofmarriage. Thehistoryof thewedding ringis tainted with pagan sun-worship and papal


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

Incidentally, history gives us a very clearpicture of the relationship between earlychurch apostasy and the introduction of thewedding ring. The famous Catholic CardinalJohnHenryNewmandescribeditin1845inhismonumental book Development of Christian Doctrine, p. 373: “Constantine, in order torecommend the new religion to the heathen,transferred into ittheoutwardadornmentstowhichtheyhadbeenaccustomedintheirown.It isnotnecessary togo intoa subjectwhichthediligenceofProtestantwritershasmadefa-miliar tomostofus. Theuseof temples,andthesededicatedtoparticularsaints…incense…candles…holywater…processions…the ring in marriage, turning to the east, imagesata laterdate…areallofpaganorigin,andsanctifiedby their adoption into theChurch”(emphasisadded).


Theprophet Jeremiah, like somanyotherOld Testament writers, added more counselconcerning the typeofpeoplewhoworearti-ficialornaments.Godmoveduponthoseholymen to represent the church prophetically asawoman.WhenGod’speoplewerebackslid-den, theywereportrayedby theprophetasaharlotoranunfaithfulwife.Thuswereadtextslikethefollowing:“Andwhenthouarespoiled,whatwiltthoudo?Thoughthouclothestthy-self with crimson, though thou deckest theewith ornaments of gold, though thou rentestthyfacewithpainting,invainshaltthoumakethyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, theywillseekthylife”(Jeremiah4:30).

Through Ezekiel, God symbolized Hisapostatized people, Judah and Israel, by twoharlotsnamedAholahandAholibah.Hisde-scriptionoftheirboldornamentationmatchedthe lewdness of their conduct. “And further-more,thatyehavesentformentocomefromfar,untowhomamessengerwassent;and,lo,theycame:forwhomthoudidstwashthyself,paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself withornaments”(Ezekiel23:40).

Hosea expresses the same thought whenhedescribesthehypocrisyofIsrael.Again,the


unfaithfulnesswaswelldramatizedbyadeco-rated woman. “And I will visit upon her thedaysofBaalim,whereinsheburnedincensetothem,andshedeckedherselfwithherearringsandher jewels,and shewentafterher lovers,andforgatme,saiththeLord”(Hosea2:13).

Over and over again, the Bible connectsthewearingofcolorfulcosmeticsand jewelrywithsin,apostasy,andheathenism.Whentheyturned away from the Lord they put on theornaments that, as Isaiah said, “declare theirsin.”Thereisnolackoftextsthatspelloutthetruth clearly and without equivocation—thegreatGodofheavenwasdispleasedwiththosethingsandused 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)as“deckedwithgoldandpreciousstonesandpearls,havingagoldencupinherhandfullofabominationsandfilthinessofherfornication”(Revelation17:4).

Incontrast, the truechurch isdepicted inRevelation12:1asabeautifulwomanclothedwiththegloryofthesun.Thiswomaniscalled


thebrideofChrist inRevelation21:9.Noticethat no ornaments are worn by the bride ofChrist.Thesetypesofthetrueandthefalsere-ligioussystemsalsopointouttheestimateGodplacesupontheuseofartificialadornment.

Two final texts from thewritingsofPeterandPaulwillrevealthefirm,consistentviewsof the early church concerning this practice.Bothof these stalwartsoccupiedpositionsofinfluenceamongthedisciples,andtheirSpirit-filled letters represent the unchallenged viewof the apostolic church. Paul wrote, “In likemanner also, that women adorn themselvesin modest apparel, with shamefacedness andsobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, orpearls, or costly array; But (which becomethwomenprofessinggodliness)withgoodworks”(1Timothy2:9,10).

Peter wrote in much the same manner,except that he especially addressed Christianwomen who had unbelieving husbands.“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to yourownhusbands;that,ifanyobeynottheword,theyalsomaywithoutthewordbewonbytheconversationof thewives;While theybeholdyour chaste conversation coupled with fear.Whose adorning let it not be that outward


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

These 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 believing wife go in trying topleaseherunregeneratehusband?Towhatde-greeshouldshecompromisethetruthofGodinlittlethingstokeepthingssmoothathomeandpossibly tohelpwinherhusband?Peter’sadvice issimpleandclear-cut:Don’tcompro-misetruthandprincipleatall.Evenifthewifeisnotpermitted tospeakabouther faith,shecanwinherhusbandbyher“chasteconversa-tion.”Other translationsuse themoreproperterm“conduct”insteadof“conversation.”

ButnoticehowtheconductoftheChristianwifewillmanifest itself.Peterasserts that shewill win her husband much more readily bylayingasidetheoutwardadornment.SurelytheSpiritofGod anticipated thedilemmaof the


wifewho feels that sheneeds towearawed-dingring topleaseherhusband,even thoughsheknowsitdoesnotpleasetheLord.Thistextmakes it exceedingly clear that God shouldcomefirst,andthatsuchadecisionalsowilldomoretowinthehusbandthananyothercourse.Hundredsofevangelistsandpastorscouldbearwitnessthatthisistrue.Thewomenwhoeven-tuallyleadtheirhusbandsintothefaitharetheoneswhoholdfirmlytothestandardofGod’sWord.Theoneswhodonotwintheircompan-ionsarethosewhowill letdownthestandardinlittlethingstobemorecompatiblewiththeirunbelievinghusbands.

This might seem contradictory, but thepractical resultsaredemonstrable.As longasthewifeisnotlivinguptoallthepointsofherownbelief,thehusbandfiguresthatitmustnotbeveryimportant.Hecannotgetexcitedaboutdoingsomethingthatdoesnotevenclaimthefullcomplianceofhissweet,Christianwife.ButifshedoestakeafirmstandtopleasetheLordaboveallothers,eveninthefaceofhisowndis-pleasure,thehusbandisdeeplyimpressedthatthis“religionbit”mustbeimportant.Heprob-ablywillsaynothingabouthistruefeelings.Hemight,infact,affectgreatindignation,buthis


respectandadmirationwillbesecretlystirredbythefirm,conscientiousstandofhiswife.

Wemustanticipaterightheretheargumentthat isadvancedbythewiveswhoarenot in-clined topartwith theirwedding rings. Theysay,“Idon’twanttogiveupmyringbecauseitshowsthatIammarried.I’mproudofmyhus-band. Iwanteveryone toknow that I’mmar-ried.Ithinkmarriageisamostsacredandim-portantthing.”Noonecanfindfaultwiththesesinceresentiments.Everywifeshouldloveherhusbandandbeproudofhim.Marriageisim-portant,andsheshouldwanteveryonetoknowthatsheismarried.Butlet’saskthisquestion:Isthereanythinginaperson’slifethatismoreimportantthanmarriage?Yes,thereisjustonethingthat ismore importantthanbeingmar-riedtoahusbandorwife,andthatistobemar-riedtoChrist.TheclaimsofChrist’slovearetheonlyclaimsthatshouldevertakepriorityovertheloveofhusbandandwife.InthelightofalltheoverwhelmingBibleevidence,wehavedis-covered thatornamentsaredispleasing to theLord. It is true that theweddingringwill telleveryone that thewife ismarried toherhus-band,butitwillalsotellsomethingelse.Itwilltellthatshehaschosentopleaseherhusband


evenabovetheLordJesus.Itwillrevealthatsheisplacingsomeoneelse’swillabovetheBible-revealedwillofGod.Assuch,itbearsawrongtestimonytotheworld.

Somemightobject that suchaconclusionistoostrong.Someareboundtosay,“YouarejudgingandtestingmyChristianitybya littlethinglikearingoranornament.”No,thisisnotthecase.ItisloveforGodthatisbeingtested,andtheBibleclearlypointsoutthecriteriaforthetest.Thattestnotonlyinvolveskeepingtheplainly revealed commandments of God, butalso includes layingasideeverythingelse thatwediscoverdoesnotpleaseHim.Here is theevidence:“Andwhatsoeverweask,wereceiveofhim,becausewekeephiscommandments,and do those things that are pleasing in hissight”(1John3:22).

Pleasedonotoverlookthetwothingsthattrue Christians will always be doing. Theyobey thedirect,overt requirements thatGodlaysdowninHis law,buttheyalsogofurtherbysearchingouteverythingthatwouldpleaseHim. In other words, they will obey the in-junctionto“alwaysbetryingtofindoutwhatbest pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10, 20thCentury Translation). Jesus exemplified and


dramatizedthisdivineprincipleinHisownlifeand teachings.He said, “TheFatherhathnotleftmealone;forIdoalwaysthosethingsthatplease him” (John 8:29). The arbitrary com-mandmentsareobviouseventoacarnalman,but the little things that please God are re-vealedonlytothelovingheartoftheChristianwhosearches theWord for indicationsofHiswill.Itisasolemnfactthatthosewhowillbesaved at the coming of Jesus are symbolizedbyEnoch,who“wastranslatedthatheshouldnot see death … for before his translationhe had this testimony, that he pleased God”(Hebrews 11:5). Paul describes the gloriouscomingofChristin1Thessalonians4:16.Inthesame text,heportrays the resurrectionof therighteousdeadandthecatchingupoftherigh-teous living.Butspeakingofthosesaintswhoshouldbereadyfortranslation,Paulsaid,I“ex-hortyoubytheLordJesus…howyeoughttowalkandtopleaseGod”(1Thessalonians4:1).Oneof themarksof thosewhoareredeemedoutoftheearthistheirwillingnesstopleasetheLordineverything.

Listen,ifyouknowacertainthingispleasingtotheLord,andyetyourefusetodoit,whatareyoureallydoing?Youarepleasingsomeoneelse


abovetheLord.Youmightsay,“Butit’ssuchasmall,smallthing.”Ofcourse,itisasmallthing,butloveisactuallytestedandprovenbythelittlethingswedoforoneanother.Askanyhousewifeifitisn’tso.Herhusbandmightgiveherawash-ingmachineonherbirthday,andshewouldap-preciateit.Butifhebringshomeflowersinthemiddleoftheweekandsays,“Honey,letmedrythedishesforyou,”anywifewilltellyouthatitmeansmorethanthewashingmachine.Why?Because it revealsmoreofhis true feelings todothelittlethingsthantodobigthingsthataremore-or-lessexpected.Godispleasedwhenwekeep His Ten Commandments, but we reallyshowourlovemorebygoingbeyondthecom-mandments, topleaseHim in the little thingsthatarerevealedintheBible.

Rightandwrongneverhavebeen,andnev-ershouldbe,measuredbytheamount.Itisthequality of sin, not the quantity, that presentsthelargestproblemtotheChristian.TheBiblereveals the fact thatcolorfulcosmetics, rings,etc.,aredispleasing to theLord.TheWordofGod does not reveal that a certain quantityof colorful cosmetics is wrong or that a cer-tain typeornumberofrings isdispleasing toHim. Even the smallest deliberate violation


of therevealedwillofGod isserious. It indi-catesan inwardrebellionagainstplacingGodfirst. Thedevil’s favoriteargument today is “alittlebit isallright.”ThiswasLot’s foolishar-gumentwhenhewasorderedbytheangelstofleeintothemountains.Hebeggedforpermis-siontogointoanothercityclosebySodomandGomorrah.Hisargumentwas,“Isitnotalittleone?” (Genesis 19:20). Can you understandwhyhewantedtogointoanothercityafterlos-ingeverythinghehadinSodom?Yetthesamerationalization isusedbymanyChristiansto-day. Theydebateandquibbleover the sizeoftheirringortheamountoftheimmodesty.

Satan is delighted to hear people tryingto decide just how much they should violatethewillofGod.Neverforgetthis:ItisnotthedegreeofthedeviationfromtheBiblestandardthatissoimportant,butitisthefactthatthereisadeviationthatconstitutestherealproblem.Thesizeofthestepisnotthethingofgreatestimportance,butrather thedirection inwhichthestepleads.

Sometimesministersareaccusedofmakingabigissueoutoftheweddingringbecausetheywaitforthecandidatetoremoveitbeforebeingbaptized.Actually,experiencehasproventhat


the ring isnot theproblematall. The ring ismerely the symptomofamuchmore seriousproblem: the lackof fullsurrender.When theheart isyielded,andGod ismade first in thelife,noconvertwillallowalittleringtostandin thewayofunitingwith thebodyofChristbybaptism.When love forChrist is strongerthanloveofselforhusbandorwife,thennoth-ing will stand in the way, least of all a smallmetalring.

CHAPTER 3STUMBLING BLOCKS

In thisfinalchapter,weshallgiveconsider-ation toanotheraspectofbiblicalevidence

on this subject that some consider to be themostpersuasiveofall.Itanswerstheobjectionraisedbythefewwhoarestillunconvincedthatjewelry isdispleasingtoGod.Inthemostex-plicitmanner,itdemolishesthelaststrongholdofdefenseforeventheweddingring.

Before moving into Paul’s eloquent dis-courseonthispoint,letusestablishafactthatiswellknowntoallwhoareengagedinfull-timesoul winning. Those who persist in wearingtheir ornaments, after becoming members ofthechurch,havebeenresponsibleforplacinga


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

Someone is bound to object, “Well, theyshould not be looking at people so much.Theyoughttoacceptthetruthbecauseitisthetruth.”Thisisverygoodandtrue,but justre-memberthatwearedealingwithsoulswhoaresearching for loopholes around the unpopu-larmessageof theBible. It isourbusiness tocloseevery loopholepatientlyandmeeteveryargumentsothattheyfinallysurrenderinfullobedience.Thefactisthatthesepeoplehavearighttoexpectthechurchtobepracticingwhatit preaches. A few inconsistent members cancounteractmonthsofprayerfulstudyandprep-arationofcandidatesonthepartofthepastor.Itisn’trightthatanyoneshouldbeastumblingblocktoanotherindividual.


Paul penned the most solemn warning tothose who would discourage a single soul intheir Christian growth. “Let us not thereforejudgeoneanotheranymore:butjudgethisrath-er,thatnomanputastumblingblockoranocca-siontofallinhisbrother’sway”(Romans14:13).Jesusspokeoutontheverysametopic,exceptthat He described the enormity of causing achild to stumble.PerhapsHiswordswillhavemoremeaningforusifwereadthemwiththechildren’s Sabbath School teachers in mind.“Whoso shall offend one of these little oneswhichbelieveinme,itwerebetterforhimthatamillstonewerehangedaroundhisneck,andthatheweredrowned in thedepthof thesea”(Matthew18:6).Seriouswords indeed!Butnomoreseriousthantheoffenseitdescribes—themisleadingoflittlechildrenwholooktoteach-ersasexamples.Howoftenhavelittlegirlsques-tionedtheBiblestandardsaboutringsaftersee-ingaringonthefingerofafavoriteteacher?

In one particular church, a kindergartenteacherwhoworeaweddingringwasidolizedby a littlegirl inherdepartment.During thechurch service, the childwouldoftenbeper-mittedtositwiththeteacherandherhusband.Since theyhadno childrenof theirown, the


couplewasdelightedtohavethewell-behavedlittlegirlsitwiththem.Shewouldusuallyoccu-pyherselfwiththingsintheteacher’spurse,butbeingofanaffectionatenature,shewouldclingto thehandofher teachermuchof the time.One Sabbath during the sermon, the womanglanceddownatthelittlegirlandnoticedshehadslippedofftheweddingringandplaceditaroundhersmallfinger.Somewhatperturbed,sherecovered theringandput itbackonherownfinger.

Weekbyweek,muchtoherchagrin,sheno-ticedhowobsessed the totseemed tobewiththering.Shefondledandcaressedtheringandoften tried toremove itunobtrusively,so thatshe could slip it around her childish fingers.Thegrowingfascinationofthelittlegirlforthegoldencirclebecameanincreasingconcerntotheolderwoman.KnowingtheBibleteachingsaboutornaments,herconsciencehadnotbeenateasefromthetimeshehadstartedwearingthering.Nowshewasunabletoenjoythewor-ship service, as she sought todivert thegirl’svainattentionfromthearticleofadornment.

At last shecouldbear itno longer.Underdeepconviction that shewasplacinga stum-blingblockinthepathofthechild,sheremoved


theoffendingringonceand forall.Later,sherelated the experience to her pastor and de-scribedthefeelingsofguiltthattormentedherforplacingtemptationbeforethefaceofanin-nocentlittlegirl.

“ButIdon’tseeanythingwrongwithrings.Why should I be a hypocrite and take themoff just to impress someone?” This is aques-tion thatPaulanswerswithdevastating effectin1Corinthians8:1-13.Thatentirechapter isconcernedwith theproblemof foodsofferedtoidols.Theearlychurchwasseriouslydivid-edover the issue.TheGentileChristianswhohad come in from paganism believed that itwaswrongtoeatsuchmeat.Theyrememberedoffering the food in sacrifice to idols. EventhoughtheywerenowChristians,theystillfeltit was somehow giving allegiance to the idoltoeatthefood.Ontheotherhand,theJewishChristianswhohadcomeintothechurchfromJudaismfeltthatthefoodwasperfectlygoodtoeat.Sincethemeatwasnot“unclean”andsinceitwassoldalongwithothermeatsinthemar-ketplace, the JewishChristiansbought itwithnoquestionofconsciencewhatever.

The contentionbecame so severebetweenthetwogroupsthatPaulfinallyhadtodealwith


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.Forifanymansee theewhichhastknowledgesitatmeatintheidol’stemple,shallnotthecon-scienceofhimwhichisweakbeemboldenedtoeatthosethingswhichareofferedtoidols;Andthroughthyknowledgeshalltheweakbrotherperish,forwhomChristdied?Butwhenyesinsoagainstthebrethren,andwoundtheirweakconscience,yesinagainstChrist”(verses4-12).

These tremendousverses,with their spiri-tual focuson love forothers,applywithevengreaterforcetothosewhofeelatlibertytowearrings in the church. The application is stron-gerbecausetheornamentsarecondemnedbyGod,whereas themeatsoffered to idolswerenotcondemned.Still,Paulsaid itwasasinto


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

This brings us right back to the centralthemeofthislittlebook—love.WhetherwearelookingatChristianstandardsfromtheview-pointoflovingandpleasingGodorlovingourneighbor,theresultisjustthesame.Thewholeidea is toput self lastofall.A religionbaseduponsuch lovewillnotbesatisfiedmerely tofulfill the letter of the Ten Commandmentsbutwillsearch theWordofGoddaily for in-dicationsofHiswill.AsJohnremindsus:“Wekeephiscommandments,anddothosethingsthat 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 heavenforwearingapieceof jewelry.” Iasked them,


“Eventhoughyoudon’tfeelyouwouldbelostbywearing it,do themany textsraiseat leastsomequestionaboutthepracticemeetingthefullapprovalofGod?”“Oh,yes,”theysaid,“Wecannot say that the issue isnot abit cloudy.”Mynextquestionwasthis:“Doyouthinkthereisa10percentchance thatwearingyourringcouldbedispleasing toGod?”After thinkingamoment, theybothagreed that therewasatleastthatmuchchancethatitwasquestionable.ThenIaskedthemthisquestion:“Asyoustandonthebrinkofbaptismandthecompletesur-renderofyour lives to theLord JesusChrist,doyouwanttoruna10percentchanceofdis-pleasing theLordwhohas laiddownHis lifeforyou?”

Slowlytheyreacheddownandbegantore-movetheirrings.“No,”thehusbandsaid,“Wedon’twant to run the smallest chanceofdis-pleasingHim.WewanttogoallthewaywithJesus.Sincethereisadoubt,we’llgiveHimthebenefitofthedoubt.”

I will not try to pretend that this kind ofsurrender iseasy. Jesus said, “Ifanymanwillcomeafterme,lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscrossdailyandfollowme.”(Luke9:23).Saying “no” to self is what the Master was


talkingabout.Hewassayingthateveryonewillhave tobattle itoutwith something that selfdoesn’twanttosurrender.TheindividualwhoiscomingtoChristandlearningHiswayswillhavetodenyselfandsay“no”tosomethingthathiswholenature craves tokeep. That iswhatself-denialmeans.Somepeoplefailthetestatonepoint,andothersatadifferentpoint.Ihaveseensomewhocouldnotdenyselfonthepointofmoney.ToobeyGodmightjeopardizetheirjoborcuttheirsalary,andtheywerenotwillingtosay“No”totheirloveofmoney.Othershadtogiveup friends togoall theway in follow-ingChrist,and theywerenotwilling todenythemselvestheirfriends.Appetitehasstoodinthewayofmanywhowerenotwillingtodenythemselves the alcohol, tobacco, or uncleanfoodsasrequiredintheBible.Afewhavefailedthetestonthepointofvanityandpride.Theyhavebeenunwillingtodenythemselvesthein-ordinate pride of dress.

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


invitation.Struggletakesplacewhenthetruthchallengesadarling self-indulgence.The testsoftheSabbath,tithe,anddietareallaimedatsomeelementof theself-nature.Many failoneachofthesepoints.Butstrangelyenough,thegreatestbattleseemstoensuewhenGod’swilltouches the area of personal pride. Vanity isdeep and pervasive. Self-love has a thousandfacesandexhibitsitselfinasmanysubtleways.

Markitdown,somewherealongthelineforeverysoulthedevilwilluseselftomakealastdesperate standagainst thewillofGod.OnlythosewholoveChristwithalltheirheart,soul,andmindwillbeableorwilling tomake the100-percentsurrendertoHimthatisrequired.ThehappiestpeopleintheworldarethosewholetnothingstandintheirwayofpleasingGodineverything.

It has already been mentioned thatChristianswho livetopleasetheLordarethehappiest people in the world. Jesus said, “Ifyekeepmycommandments,yeshallabide inmylove;evenasIhavekeptmyFather’scom-mandments,andabideinhislove.ThesethingshaveIspokenuntoyou,thatmyjoymightre-main inyou, and that your joy might be full”(John15:10,11,emphasisadded).Nowonder,


then, that fully committed Christians are soeasilyrecognized.Thereisaholyradianceandjoy shining fromwithin thateven transformsthecountenance.Althoughtheyhavelaidasidetheadornmentoftheworld,theyhaveputonanotheradornmentof theSpirit,which iden-tifiestheminstantly.Somewomenfeelalmostnaked after removing their jewelry, but verysoon they recognize that God has replacedtheartificialwiththereal.Davidwrote,“Theylookeduntohim,andwerelightened:andtheirfaceswerenotashamed”(Psalms34:5).

It is this “new look” of the new-bornChristianthathascausedtheworldtomarvel.Foreveryevilthingthatisgivenup,thechildof God receives a spiritual replacement. AsPaulsaid,“Letusthereforecastofftheworksofdarkness,andletusputonthearmouroflight”(Romans 13:12).Andpleasenoticehowdra-maticthisexchangecanbewhenitinvolvestheclothes and adornment of an individual. ThebrideofChristreceivesspecialattention.Isaiahcontrasts the marriage dress of God’s peoplewith thedressof theworld.“Iwillgreatlyre-joiceintheLord,mysoulshallbejoyfulinmyGod;forhehathcoveredmewiththegarmentsofsalvation,hehathcoveredmewiththerobe


ofrighteousness,asabridegroomdeckethhim-selfwithornaments, and as abride adornethherselfwithher jewels” (Isaiah 61:10).Whenwearemarried toChristand takeHisname,wearenottoadornourselvesasworldlybridesandbridegrooms.Wearejoyfullytobeclothedwiththe“garmentsofsalvation”andthe“robeofrighteousness.”Thisiswhatlightensthefaceandpresents thenewradiantappearance thatamazestheworld.

Thisvitalpointshouldbegivencarefulcon-sideration. The facehasmuch to say about aperson’s character and experience. Our mostpowerfulChristianwitnessmaysimplybethewitnessofourshiningcountenance.OneofthemostconvincingargumentsIhaveeverheardagainsttheuseofcolorfulcosmeticswasbasedupon thisvery fact.FrancesParkinsonKeyes,thewell-knownCatholicauthor,explainedwhyshehadnever“touchedup”herfaceorhairwithartificialadornment:“Aquartercenturyoflivingshouldputagreatdealintoawoman’sfacebe-sidesafewwrinklesandsomeunwelcomefoldsaroundthechin.Inthatlengthoftimeshehasbecome intimately acquainted with pain andpleasure,joyandsorrow,lifeanddeath.Shehasstruggledand survived, failedand succeeded.


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! Christian women have a wit-ness to bear by the expression of their faces.Righteousness,dignity,purity, and calm faithin God—these attributes are often clearly re-vealedbythecountenancealone.PerhapsthisiswhatJesusmeantwhenHesaid,“Letyourlightso shine before men, that they may see yourgoodworks,andglorifyyourFatherwhich isinHeaven”(Matthew5:16).Thespirituallightandradianceofanunadornedfacemightevenattractmoreattention to the religionof JesusChristthanadozensermonsorBiblestudies.

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


could just as well have used other examplesof Christian standards. The same principlesprovide the motivation for seeking always topleaseHim inwhatwedo aboutprovocativedancing,movies,gambling,diet,anddress. Itcouldbeshown justasclearly that thesehighstandardsofthechurcharenotbaseduponanycommitteeofmen,butupontherevealedwillofGodinHisWord.MayGodhelpustofindourgreatestjoyanddelightindoingthethingsthatpleaseHim.

Copyright © 2009 byLu Ann Crews

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