Let's speak the truth in love.
I have somewhat to say about how this discussion has gone. I have seen HCL, Keeper, Granny, and others maintain an exemplary spirit throughout this thread. Yes, there are times that they have reacted to the relentless provocation and ridicule hurled at them from the "other side," but by and large, the dress camp has come out of the crucible somewhat more Christlike now for the experience.
I exclude myself from that because 1) I'm not sure where to draw the line yet, and 2) I allowed myself to be provoked.
I thought and prayed about this this evening. I have not seen one person say that wearing loose, long skirts is a sin, but I have seen others express reservations about pants on the basis of immodesty. If we were to go to the Apostle Paul and ask him how to resolve the issue, what would he say? I think he would say, "Submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God. If thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died, because when you sin so against a brother, you sin against Christ. If meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Walk in love. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."
Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
This is indeed a high calling. I must examine myself. Would I really be willing to give up, say, wearing shorts and all the comforts they provide for the sake of my brother in Christ? Am I willing to give up television, movies, sports, the Internet simply for the sake of my brother in Christ?
Funny, I glanced at the book I took off my shelf to quote from in another thread. It's a biography of a truly great and godly woman, Amy Carmichael. It's called "A Chance to Die."
"Greater love hath no man than this..."
I look into my heart and I don't like what I see, but I must say this, if I insist on indulging my own whims and desires however nebulous and innocent they may be despite the wounds they inflict on the consciences of my brothers, I cannot say that I am walking in love.
I am not fulfilling the law of Christ.
Some have said that this is such a small thing and not worthy of the nearly twenty pages of bandwidth it has taken up. Some have said we should focus on more important issues. Well, I say, "Amen, sisters! Lead the way! Show us it is of no importance by discarding your pants in favor of skirts."
Takes on a whole different light now, I think.
I'm finished with this thread. I have some serious thinking to do. Am I truly willing to lay down my life for my friends? Would I truly want to bear another's burden? Can I see my life as Amy Carmichael saw hers--as a Chance to Die?
