ANSWERS ON LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND LIKE
LOVE
The concept of true love is what we search for all our lives. Yet love is one of the most misunderstood concepts of all. What people really want more than anything else is to be loved unconditionally; to be accepted for who they are, and still be loved. Sometimes we will do some crazy things, in the name of love. Love is actually the choice one makes to put someone's wishes, desires and needs above our own. Many people confuse the word love with the meaning of the word want, desire, infatuation or lust.
Love involves three key elements:
Emotions --how we feel about each other
Ethics --how good or bad we are for each other
Joys --how much we satisfy or dissatisfy each other
Ethics --how good or bad we are for each other
Joys --how much we satisfy or dissatisfy each other
The Dictionary defines love as:
1. A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2. A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3. A sexual passion or desire.
4. A person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart
But According to the Bible: 1 Corithians
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things.
Love, whether used of God or man, is an earnest and anxious desire for and an active and beneficent interest in the well-being of the one loved. Love is both “to desire” and “to please”.
FRIENDSHIP
Different people have different definitions of friendship. For some, it is the trust in an individual that he / she won't hurt you. For others, it is unconditional love. There are some who feel that friendship is companionship. People form definitions based on the kind of experiences they have had. There are famous stories about friends in mythologies of different religions all over the world. They say a person who has found a faithful friend has found a priceless treasure.
Aristotle described a friend as “A single soul, dwelling in two bodies"
Other sources have defined friendship as follows:
“Friendship is the cooperative and supportive relationship between people, or animals. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, affection, and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis”
“True friendship is perhaps the only relation that survives the trials and tribulations of time and remains unconditional. A unique blend of affection, loyalty, love, respect, trust and loads of fun is perhaps what describes the true meaning of friendship. Similar interests, mutual respect and strong attachment with each other are what friends share between each other. These are just the general traits of a friendship. To experience what is friendship, one must have true friends, who are indeed rare treasure”.
“Friendship is a feeling of comfort and emotional safety with a person. It is when you do not have to weigh your thoughts and measure words, before keeping it forth before your friend. It is when someone knows you better than yourself and assures to be on your side in every emotional crisis. It is when you can sleep fighting and get up another morning with a better understanding. Friendship is much beyond roaming together and sharing good moments, it is when someone comes to rescue you from the worst phase of life”.
“Friendship is a feeling of comfort and emotional safety with a person. It is when you do not have to weigh your thoughts and measure words, before keeping it forth before your friend. It is when someone knows you better than yourself and assures to be on your side in every emotional crisis. It is when you can sleep fighting and get up another morning with a better understanding. Friendship is much beyond roaming together and sharing good moments, it is when someone comes to rescue you from the worst phase of life”.
LIKE
Like is to wish, to prefer or wish to do or have something; to find something enjoyable or agreeable. To have an inclination or a preference: To find something pleasant or attractive
One of the missions of GREAT HEARTED GROUP as a nonprofit organization is to inspire people to love unconditionally. Our vision is to assist people by building a practical foundation and understanding of unconditional love within individuals and society as a whole.
It may be easy to look around our world today and see the appearance of chaos, difficulty and strife. Yet, when we come from an open heart, we can also see our opportunity to love all things into balance, joy, harmony and peace. This planet does not need more visions of desperation, fear, doubt and hate - it requires an abundance of love, especially unconditional love, to heal and restore the beauty contained in every moment. This becomes the easier path once we take the first step and begin to share our love.
When we bring unconditional love back into our personal, professional, community and family lives, we begin the journey of restoring wholeness and happiness to the human society. Of course it takes determined effort on our own part to achieve this. However, this effort to love is rewarded by God with a new perspective on everything and all life benefits as a result.
GREAT HEARTED GROUP – EMPOWERMENT FOR WIDOWS, ORPHANS, FATHERLESS, POOR AND PROVIDING A PLATFORM FOR SKILL ACQUISITION TO THE UNEMPLOYED.
35 FACTS ABOUT SICKNESS AND HEALING
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2
1. Health was natural and eternal before the fall (Gen. 1:26-31, 2:17)
2. Both death and sickness originated with sin and are now being propagated by satan (Rom. 5:12-21, Job 2:6-7, Lk. 13:16, Jn. 10:10; Acts 10:38; 1Jn. 3:8)
3. The first prophecy and promise of redemption include healing (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 53:5; Mat. 8:16-17; 1Pet. 2:24)
4. The first recorded bodily affliction came though wrongdoing (Gen. 20:1-18)
5. The first recorded healing was by the prayer of a prophet (Gen. 20:7, 17)
6. God made covenants with His people to heal them (Ex. 15:26;23:25; Lev. 26; Dt28; Mt. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24; Jas. 5:14)
7. God has always kept His covenants and has healed multitudes by spiritual means (Ps. 103:3; 105:37; 107:20; Acts 10:38)
8. Spiritual means to heal is all that God promised and commanded (Ex. 15:26; Ps. 91; Isa. 58)
9. Spiritual means were used in the wilderness by Israel Ex. 15:26; Num. 11:1-3; 12:13-16; 21:1-9; Jn 3:14)
10. Healing was promise on condition of obedience (Lev. 26; Dt. 28; Ex. 15:26)
11. God permits satan to afflict sinners and even His own people when they go astray, to bring them to repentance (Job 33:12-30; Ps 38; 107, Num 12:13-16, 21:9)
12. God always healed when lessons were learned and men repented (Gen. 20:7, 17; Num. 11:2)
13. Health as well as healing was promised when men met certain conditions ( Ex. 15:26; Lev. 26; Dt. 28; Ps. 91)
14. Christ came to redeem from both sin and sickness (Isa. 53; 61:1-2; Mt 8:17)
15. Healing is in fulfillment of prophecy (Isa. 35; 53; 61:1-2)
16. Jesus proved His Sonship by healing all men (Mt. 4:23-24; 11:3-6; Lk. 4:16-21)
17. Every disciple called and sent by Christ was given power to heal (Mt. 10:1-8; Mk. 6:7-13, Lk 10:1-21; Acts 1:8)
18. Jesus commanded His disciples to become endued with power to heal before they went our (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:4-8)
19. All disciples throughout this age are commanded to observe the same commands Christ gave the first disciples (Mt. 28:20; Acts 1:4-8; Mk. 16:15-20)
20. Early disciples did confirm the Word by healing (Mk. 16:15-20; Acts 2:43; 3:1-12)
21. The Holy Spirit was sent into the world to carry on the healing ministry 9Acts 1:1-8; 2:33; 1Cor. 12; Heb. 2:3-4)
22. Jesus promised every believer, not only ministers, power to do the works that He did (Mt. 17:20; 21:22; Mk. 9:23; 11:22-24)
23. Gifts of healing and other gifts are promised as the spiritual equipment of the church (1Cor. 1:7, 12:1-11; Rom. 1:11)
24. Healing is part of the work of the church ( Mt. 10:1-8; Lk. 10:1-21; Jas. 5:14-16)
25. Healing is provided as part of Christ’s atonement (Isa. 53:4-5; Mt. 8:16-17)
26. Healing is part of the children’s bread and their promised right by virtue of redemption (Mt.7:7-11; 15:22-28)
27. Healing is one of the signs of the gospel to follow believers (Mk. 16:15-20)
28. Healing was not only for the O. T. days (Ex. 15:26; Ps. 91; 103:3) and for the Millennium (Isa.. 30:26; 33:24; 35:1-10). It is also for this age, or the gospel is faulty and the new covenant worse than the old one. (Jn. 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 2Cor. 3:6-15; 1Cor.12:1-11; Heb. 2:3-4)
29. Healing proves that God’s promises are true (2Cor 1:20)
30. Healing is part of salvation, for the Hebrew and Greek words for salvation all imply the ideas of forgiveness, healing, health, and full deliverance from the curse (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 3:13; 1Pet. 2:24)
31. Healing can naturally be expected as part of the infinite care of God over His children (Mt. 6:10; 7:7-11; Jas. 1:4-8; 5:14-16)
32. Healing is on the same basis as forgiveness of sins – prayer and faith (Mat. 9:1-7; Acts 28:27; Jas. 1:4-8; 5:14-16)
33. Healing proves the resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 1:4-8; 2:33; 3”16; 4:12; Rom. 8:11)
34. God has provided all necessary means of healing and complete defeat of satanic powers (2Cor. 10:4-5; Eph. 6:10-18; Mk 16:15-20)
35. Healing is always the will of God for His people who may: “ask what ye will” (Jn. 15:7; “whatsoever” (Mt. 21:22; Jn. 14:12-15; 15:16); “anything” (Jn. 14:14); “what things soever ye desire” (Mk. 11:22-24) and “much more” than earthly parents would or could give their children (Mt. 7;7-11)
Thus it is clear in Scripture that bodily healing is provided for in the Old and New Testaments. The New Testament is based upon better promises than the Old Testament. (Heb. 8:6).
THE MENACE OF COMPARISON
Nobody is better than you. You are as important as anyone else. God loves all of us equally. Learn to appreciate yourself. One of my pastors, Rev. Praise Tete, will always say: “I like my size, I like my complexion, I like the way I do my things, etc”. Always tell yourself these words. Each of us has a different calling in life, you don’t need to be like another person or copy anyone else’s success. You can look at their success and encourage yourself, only then will you be able to fulfil your vision and purpose in life. Believe in yourself and in God’s help and not on what others do, neither on what they are nor on what they have.
Consider this illustration of four individuals with different callings or purpose in life: Mr. A. was called into buying and selling of electronics in Kaduna State, through this business, he will bless his generation richly, Mr. B. is to be a writer and a teacher, he is called to be a preacher and to reach out to sinners in Jos – Plateau State with the word of God through his books and teachings, Mr. C. is to sell food items in large quantities, he will become rich enough to sponsor some orphans in his area to school and his location is Abuja FCT, while Mr. D. is a talented singer, and should reside in Lagos State.
Now Mr. A. and Mr. D. discover their calling and their locations earlier in life and are walking in line with it, in less than two years they made huge progress. When Mr. C. came across Mr. A. around July 1991 in a seminar held in Kaduna, at the Women Multi – Purpose hall. Seeing the kind of success the man is making, he became envious and went into electronic business also, ignoring his own calling and purpose in life. He stayed in the business for ten years and yet could not make the kind of success Mr. A. had made in less than two years. With the help of a book he red titled: Understanding your Potential by Myles Monroe; Mr. C. discovered that for the past ten years he had been on the wrong business and on the wrong location. Wow! Those were wasted years, and now he has to go back to his original calling, purpose and location and start all over again.
Mr. B. on the other hand Considered Mr. D. to be his role model, he likes the guy’s music and the progress the guy is making in the music industry; Mr. D. is all over the TV, Magazines, etc. and so Mr. B. wanting to be famous as Mr. D. went into music production, ignoring his purpose, his ability and calling, which is to be a writer and a teacher in Jos – Plateau State. He made no progress, but wasted many years trying to be like Mr. D.
The bottom line - don’t try to be like anyone else, be who you are meant to be! Never walk in anyone’s shadow; it is better to fall at doing something than to excel at doing nothing. So get up and try something, if you fail, try it again.
COMPARISON - the representing of one person as similar to or like another. (Merriam Webster Dictionary)
BEES’ EXPRESSION (WAGGLE DANCE)
Group of individuals of bee-keepers were convinced that bees could communicate with one another, and pass on information about rich sources of nectar. This belief has now been confirmed beyond doubt as a result of patient observation, the marking of bees with minute spots of paint, and the use of glass-fronted hives.
The work of the Austrian, Karl Von Frisch, and his colleagues has revealed some fascinating information. It is known, for example, that a worker-bee which has discovered some fresh flowers rich in nectar close to the hive, will immediately return to it and perform a circular dance known as waggle dance, either on the honeycomb or on the landing-platform outside the hive. While she dances, she exudes drops of nectar. This seems to excite her fellow-workers, and they set out eagerly to help bring in the treasure. The circular dance tells only that nectar is to be found near to home, and gives no clue to its direction.
When the newly-discovered flowers are a greater distance away, an even more remarkable dance is performed. This follows a figure-of-eight pattern, and is accompanied by much wriggling of the abdomen. The manner in which this dance is performed not only gives the direction of the flowers in relation to the position of the sun, but also the distance from the hive at which they are to be found. If they are fairly close to the hive, the dance is performed very rapidly. If they are some kilometers away, it is performed very slowly.
It does not matter whether the dance is performed inside the hive or out, or even whether the sun is obscured by clouds. The bees seem able to estimate its position exactly, to allow for its movement across the sky, and to fly unerringly to the flowers concerned.
EXPRESSION - a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings.
DEFINING COURAGE
Courage is one of the most essential components needed to succeed in life. Before there can be any moving forward, development or increase a courageous step most be taken. Courage can be described as facing danger with confidence and determination, frequently with disregard for one’s own personal safety. Courage is most notably displayed in difficult moments and other times of adversity.
It can also be referred to as a mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but doing what you are afraid to do. This piece is intended to draw emphasis on the importance of courage in order to succeed. You need courage to take decisions and actions that would move you forward in life.
- It takes courage to stand up for your rights
- You need courage to support unpopular causes.
- There has to be mental or moral strength (courage) to resist opposition, danger, or hardship. Courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty
- Courage suggests an ingrained capacity for meeting strain or difficulty with fortitude and resilience.
- It also suggests a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened – with courage, one cannot be broken by failure or opposition.
- Courage stresses firm determination to achieve one's ends. Don’t worry, when you are doing your best; just stay focus.
- Courage is implications of stubborn persistence and unwillingness to admit defeat.
When you try to avoid failure at all costs, you never learn, and you end up repeating the same mistakes over and over. Those who are willing to learn from their failures don’t have to keep repeating them. Author William Saroyan observed, “We get very little wisdom from success. Learn from science. In science, mistakes always precede the discovery of truth”.
Whatever it is, if you can think it or imagine it you can do it. There is nothing that is impossible or too difficult. Don’t give or get discourage because someone told you that what you are about to do can’t be done. Be ware of the so called ‘Experts’. Sometimes what they present as wisdom is just short-sightedness. In 1895, Lord Kelvin, president of England’s Royal Society, said, “Heavier-than-air flying machines are not possible”. In 1923 Nobel Prize winner in physics Robert Millikan said, “There’s no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom. When you become passionate about anything, you can get it done. Winston Churchill rallied blitzed, beleaguered Britain from the edge of defeat with these memorable words: “Never give up! Never give up! Never, never, never, give up!
DRESS – A Covering or A Weapon?
Clothes: - things worn on body – garments that cover the body. Coverings and garments intended to be worn on the human body. The words cloth and clothing are related, the first meaning fabric or textile, and the second meaning fabrics used to cover the body. The earliest garments were made of leaves, animal skins, wool, cotton, linen, silk, and other non-fabrics, rather than of cloth, but these non-fabrics garments are included in the category of clothing.
The origin of clothing can be traced back to the time of Adam and Eve, the first human beings who realized they were naked after they ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Ashamed of their nakedness, they make clothing for themselves out of fig leaves. By this we understand that people wore clothing primarily for reasons of modesty – to avoid drawing attention to themselves. We read that when Adam and Eve realized they had sinned they sewed fig leaves together and covered their nakedness – this was just their genitals. God, in his great mercy, provided for them a suitable covering – with animal skins. This is so because it is not good enough to cover just their sexual area, they needed to cover their nakedness. He slew an animal and clothed them in skins, so their nakedness would be covered. But with the rise of nonreligious worldview, people began to offer other theories. Some argued that the origin of clothing was functional – to protect the body from the environment. Others argued that some clothing was designed for sexual attraction – to display the body’s beauty.
Styles of clothing varied among the different classes of the people in Israel, and were often a means of showing a person’s status. Ceremonial clothing worn by people in high positions (king, Queen, Prince, princess, priest, wealthy people, etc) was often richly embroidered, sometimes with gold thread woven into the clothes. There were also special garments for special occasions such as weddings and feasts. Clothing provides a mark of identity and a means of nonverbal communication. In traditional society, clothing functions almost as a language that can indicate a person’s age, gender, marital status, place of origin, religion, social status, or occupation. In modern industrialized societies, clothing is not so rigidly regulated and people have more freedom to choose which messages they wish to convey. Clothing provides considerable information about the wearer, including individual personality, economic standing, even the nature of events attended by the wearer.
THE STANDARD DRESSING APPROVE BY GOD
Many people have always say, “God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance of a person. God doesn't care what you look like on the outside. God just looks on the heart". I hope to be able to show you from the Bible what God expects from His children as regard to ways of dressing.
The Jews were forbidden from the use of certain materials, some affecting the people in general while others were restricted from either of the genders. The use of mixed animal, seed and other materials, as horse and the she-ass, or the he-ass and the cow, (as they do in the East,) to couple together; to sow different kinds of seeds in the same field or garden, to combine wool and linen materials, to have a woman wear a man’s clothes and a man to wear a woman’s clothes, etc, were all forbidden (Lev. 19:19; Deut. 22:5,9-11).
With respect to heterogeneous mixtures among cattle, it was probably forbidden, to prevent excitements to the abominations practiced by the heathen which were condemned by God. As to seeds, in many cases it would be very improper to sow different kinds in the same plot of ground. It would be improvident to sow oats and wheat together: the latter would be injured, the former ruined. The turnip and carrot would not succeed conjointly, where either of them separately would prosper and yield a good crop; so we may say of many other kinds of seeds. Also, when closely observed, the law did not prohibit the Israelites from wearing many different kinds of cloths together, but only the two specified (wool and linen); and the observations and researches of modern science have proved that "wool, when combined with linen, increases its power of passing off the electricity from the body. In hot climates, it brings on malignant fevers and exhausts the strength; and when passing off from the body, it meets with the heated air, inflames and excoriates like a blister"
On the other hand, it could be that all these precepts were designed to root out some superstition - superstitious customs of the heathen or to intimate how careful God’s people should be and not mingle themselves with the heathen nor to weave any of the usages of the Gentiles into God's ordinances. Also, these precepts were instituted to lead Israel to the simplicity and sincerity of religion, and to all the parts and doctrines of the law and gospel in their distinct kinds. As faith is necessary, good works are necessary, but to mingle these together in the cause of our justification before God is forbidden. As to different kinds of garments, the prohibition might be intended against pride and vanity in clothing. Since the essence of this precept is not in wearing a woolen and a linen robe, but in the two stuffs being woven together, according to a favorite superstition of ancient idolaters (Zep 1:8); God’s people were forbidden from imitating the heathen in this manner. The restrictions of clothes belonging to opposite sex is also refers to the idolatrous custom of the Gentiles: in the worship of Venus (to which that of Astarte or Ashtaroth among the Canaanites), women appeared in armour, and men in women's clothes; this, as other such superstitious usages, is here said to be an abomination to the Lord. It forbids the confounding of the dispositions and affairs of the sexes: men must not be effeminate nor must women be viragos or usurp authority, 1Ti 2:11,12. Probably this confounding of garments had been used to gain opportunity of committing uncleanness, and is therefore forbidden; for those that would be kept from sin must keep themselves from all occasions of it and approaches to it. The close-shaved gentleman may at any time appear like a woman in the female dress, and the woman appear as a man in the male's attire. Were this is to be tolerated in society; it would produce the greatest confusion.
God's providence which extends itself to the smallest affairs of His people, that even in things that appears to be insignificant we may be in the fear of the Lord, as we are under his eye and care. Yet the tendency of these laws, which seem little, is such, that being found among the things of God's law, they are to be accounted great things. If we would prove ourselves to be God's people, we must have respect to his will and to his glory, and not to the vain fashions of the world. Even in putting on our garments, as in eating or in drinking, all must be done with a serious regard to preserve our own and others' purity in heart and actions. Our eye should be single, our heart simple, and our behavior all of a piece. The distinction of sexes by the apparel is to be kept up, for the preservation of our own and our neighbor’s chastity. Nature itself teaches that a difference be made between them in their hair (1Co 11:14), and by the same rule in their clothes, which therefore ought not to be confounded, either in ordinary wear or occasionally.
The outer appearance of a person is usually a pretty good indicator of what is in the person's heart. Although it is possible to look right on the outside and be wrong on the inside, it is well nigh impossible to look right on the outside and be wrong on the inside. What is on the outside comes from the inside. That is why Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). A man could say the right things, and have a wrong heart, but a man who had a right heart would never say the wrong things. So the outer appearance is the only indicator of what is on the inside. So God does care how we look. Not only does God care how we look, there are rules in the Bible for both men and women that should govern our appearance. Now, whenever you start talking about these rules, the women are always the first ones to complain, because there are more rules for the women than there are for the men when it comes to dressing properly.
God made man and woman differently. Men are stimulated by sight. This is why Jesus told the men of His day, "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). Men are stimulated by sight. Men are always attracted to a lady, physically, before they are connected to her emotionally. In fact, they don't even want to pursue the possibility of an emotional relationship, if the physical attraction isn't there.
Women on the other hand are stimulated by touch. It could be a physical touch or an emotional touch. So all a man has to do is look at a woman, and she is stimulated. A woman has to be talked to, and she has to be touched. And as I said, that touch can be emotional. A man could talk to a woman in such a way that she is touched emotionally. Or it could be a physical touch. He could begin to pet her or stroke her in some way and that would begin to stimulate her. That is why pornography is sold mainly to men. There is some pornography that is sold to women, but statisticians tell us that the majority of the pornographic magazines that are published for women are actually purchased by men, because women aren't really stimulated by sight. That is why you sometimes find some of the ugliest guys with some of the most attractive women, because they know how to touch. They know how to touch emotionally and how to touch physically, so the woman is satisfied, whereas the man has to see something. He is stimulated by sight. Therefore, God has given certain commands to women regarding their appearance, so they will not stimulate men. And God has given different commands to men, such as in First Corinthians 7:1, which says, "It is good for a man not to touch a woman. And then verse two, Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." So while a woman is commanded to dress a certain way so the man is not stimulated, the man is commanded to act a certain way, to behave a certain way, so the woman is not stimulated. The commands are different for both men and women. Most of the rules for appearance are for the lady's own protection. They are designed to protect her from the lusts of man.
Let's consider some of the rules for men. There are basically three rules in the Bible for man's appearance, at least that I have found in my studies of the Scriptures. There may be more, but I've only found three. In Deuteronomy 22:5, it says, "… neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." The first command of God, concerning the way a man should appear is that a man should not wear a woman's clothing. I don't know too many men who violate this rule. There may be a few, but I have never seen it in a church. And the Bible does not say that a man who puts on a woman's garment has just sinned, but that he has committed an abomination. Lying is a sin. Stealing is a sin. Adultery is a sin. Bestiality is an abomination. Homosexuality is an abomination. So if a man puts on a woman's garment, he has not just committed a sin. He has committed an abomination. He has done something that in the mind of God is equal to having sex with an animal. The second rule for men regarding appearance is found in First Corinthians 11:14, where the Bible says, "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man has long hair, it is a shame unto him". This implies that a man must not grow long hair. The third rule for men is found in 1 Cor. 11:4, it says “every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head”. A man most not cover his head while praying or prophesying.
Now rules for women. Again in Deuteronomy 22:5, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man…." Again, if a woman dresses like a man as a lot of women do, God says they have committed an abomination. It amazes me, but I do not know any Christian women who would think of committing an act of bestiality or homosexuality, but yet they would commit the abomination of cross dressing. The Bible says this is an abomination. The second rule for women is found in 1 Cor. 11:4, where we see that women are commanded to cover their head while praying or prophesying. This rule is also violated every now and then, even in some churches. The third rule given to women is in First Timothy 2:9, which states, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel." The fourth and fifth rules are also in First Timothy 2:9. It says they should not only adorn themselves in modest apparel, but, "with shamefacedness and" then the fourth command, "sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." Sobriety is a word that basically means with moderation – make or become less extreme.
Concerning the apparel and attire of women, this precept shows that it is most appropriate for women at all times, but especially in public worship, to use such apparel as becoming modest and chaste, expressing by their garb the inward gravity and modesty of their minds; not like proud and alluring persons who by embroidered hair, gold, and pearl, attract the eyes and hearts of the simple. Let them not spend their thoughts in adorning their bodies, but in simple attire which does not attract attention. If modest apparel is appropriate in the sanctuary (church), it is appropriate everywhere. If what is here prohibited in dress is wrong there, it would be difficult to show that it is right elsewhere.
Note, that the attire which all persons wear, ought to be such as may answer the end for which apparel was appointed, which was to hide and shroud our nakedness, for differencing and distinction of sexes, as also for distinguishing between the qualities and ranks of persons. Garments also are for defence and protection, and for decency and ornament.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; {broided: or, plaited}, But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Tim. 2:9
“That women adorn themselves in modest apparel” the Greek word for modest in this sense is katastole (a long flowing garment). The apostle seems to refer here to different parts of the Grecian and Roman dress. It was a long piece of cloth, doubled in the middle, and sewed up on both sides, leaving room only for the arms; at the top, a piece was cut out, or a slit made, through which the head passed. It hung down to the feet, both before and behind, and was girded with the “zona” round the body, just under the breasts. It was sometimes made with, sometimes without sleeves. It was gathered on each shoulder with a band or buckle. Some of the Greek women wore them open on each side, from the bottom up above the knee, so as to discover a part of the thigh; these were termed “fainomhridev” - shower (discoverers) of the thigh; but it was in general, only young girls or immodest women (Harlots) who wore them.
The katastole seems to have been the same as the pallium or mantle, which, being made nearly in the form of the “stola”, hung down to the waist, both in back and front, was gathered on the shoulder with a band or buckle, had a hole or slit at top for the head to pass through, and hung loosely over the “stola”, without being confined by the “zona” or girdle. A more modest and becoming dress than the Grecian was never invented; it was, in a great measure, revived in England about the year 1805, and in it, simplicity, decency, and elegance were united. But it was soon replace by other obnoxious mode; in which frippery (article worn for show) and nonsense once prevail the more.
“With shamefacedness and sobriety”. With modesty of appearance and manner - an eminent female virtue, whether in the sanctuary (church) or at home. It simply means they are not to draw attention to themselves. And trousers, shorts, tight or mini-skirts and other transparent clothes draw attention to the woman's form and figure. So if you wear a pair of these clothes which shows your and form figure, it is not shamefacedness, or modest, because it doesn't flow. It shows the figure and it stimulates men. And of course, you wouldn’t want to dress in such a way that it stimulates the lusts of a man. Remember in First Corinthians chapter thirteen that it says, "Charity doth not behave itself unseemly…" You shouldn't seek to do things that would cause someone else to fall. Jesus said that if a man looks on a woman with lust in his heart, he has already committed adultery with her. Do you realize that if you dress in such a way that it shows your form and figure, and some man lusts after you, you have just let him commit adultery with you?
Sleeveless shirts, shorts, tight or mini-skirts and other transparent clothes are the types of clothes women wear these days. Why does a preacher preach against Sleeveless shirts, shorts, tight or mini-skirts and other transparent clothes? Well, once again that word modest or katastole – which means long flowing garment contradicts Sleeveless shirts, shorts, tight or mini-skirts and other transparent clothes because they are not long they do not flow, which means they are not modest dress. They do not meet the length requirement. A katastole is a long and flowing garment. The second reason why shorts and mini-skirts would be inappropriate for a woman is because the Bible specifically says that when a woman's thighs show, she is naked. Isaiah 47:2-3 says, "Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man." Here was a women who wanted to cross a river. God wanted to disgrace the woman, (If you read the text in Isaiah chapter forty-seven, you will see why.) so He commanded her to walk across the river, then, to lift up her skirt so her thigh would show. And God said that when her thigh was exposed, she would be naked and her shame would be revealed. We read that she was told to uncover the locks, to make bare the leg, uncover the thigh and "thy nakedness shall be uncovered."
The thigh goes from your hips to somewhere in the knee. So if a woman dresses in such a way where that part of her body is exposed, the Bible says she is naked. Mini-skirts expose that part of the body. Thus, if a woman wears a mini-skirt, she is naked. And shorts, they expose that part of the body, and the Bible says in Isaiah chapter forty-seven, if she shows that part of the body, she would be naked. Well then, if you wear a pair of shorts, you would be naked, according to God. Therefore shorts and the mini-skirt would be immodest, because they are not long, and they expose nakedness. And as I said, the thigh goes down into the knee. So the only way to guarantee that the thigh is not exposed is to wear a skirt or dress that goes below the knee. That is why a preacher demands that a woman wear skirts and dresses below the knee. CLOTHES which show off the form and the figure are not shamefacedness. It doesn't flow. It is not long. It is not modest.
Apostle Paul Said “When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.” I Cor. 8:12-13 NIV. In like manner, if wearing those clothes of yours will cause anyone created by God to sin, desist from it.
“not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” The Grecian and Roman women hairs were often crisped and curled in the most variegated and complex manner. They pay much more attention to their hair than is required. It is plaited with great care, and arranged in various forms, according to the prevailing fashion, and often ornamented with spangles, or with silver wire, or tissue interwoven. The sense here is that Christian women are not to imitate those of the world in their careful attention to the ornaments of the head. It cannot be supposed that the mere braiding of the hair is forbidden, but only that careful attention to the manner of doing it, and to the ornaments usually worn in it, which characterized worldly fashion. Moderation will lead Christian women to avoid all unnecessary expense and they must not imitate the extravagance of those who, through impurity or littleness of mind, decked themselves merely to attract the eye of admiration, or set in lying action the tongue of flattery.
My motivation to men and women on the issue of modesty is, we should desire to dress the way God wants us to dress, we should desire to look the way God tells us to look, both men and women, because God tells us to. We should need no further motivation than this. Just the fact that the Bible says we should do it, that is all the motivation we should need. To protect our testimony as God’s Ambassadors - Christians. We find God commanded Israel to be a "peculiar people" (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 14:2 & 26:18, Psalm 135:4, Ecclesiastes 2:8). And you read later in the New Testament that God wants those who belong to the New Testament church to be a peculiar people (Titus 2:14, I Peter 2:9). He wants us to be different from the world. That is why God told the Israelites to dress a certain way, because when an Israelite walked down the street, God want the people to say, "There is a Jew. There is one of God's people." When the Israelites come marching through a town, God wants all the pagan societies around to know. "Hey, the Israelites are marching into our town. Those are the people for whom God parted the Red Sea and drowned the entire Egyptian host. We better get out of the way and just let them have our land. We will move on down the road." That was what God wanted. God wanted the world to be able to spot an Israelite a mile away. They were a peculiar people. And God wants the Christians in the local New Testament churches to be a peculiar people. The Bible tells us to. We are to be living epistles, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, a chosen generation. People ought to be able to look at you and to know you are a Christian. They shouldn't have to ask. And by the way, if they have to ask, the chances are you are not going to have much of a testimony with them anyway, and you are not going to be very successful in leading them to Christ. They are going to say, "If you are a Christian, and you are just like me, why do I need to become a Christian? It is not going to do anything for them. It hasn't changed you, and you are just like them. If we are going to win the world, we have to be different from the world, and God wants us to have a testimony. God wants us to be different. He wants us to look different. He wants us to be a peculiar people, chosen to Him. That is another motivation for dressing and looking properly.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16
Salt – small white tangy-tasting crystals used in food preparation and consisting largely of sodium chloride. Chemical compound - sodium chloride (NaCl); a vital constituent of the human body. Salt is used to enhance the flavor of foods and to preserve foods. It typically enters the diet from processed foods, or from adding salt to food during preparation, cooking, and at the table. Salt contains no calories, proteins, or carbohydrates, although unrefined salt does contain traces of other minerals.
Salt is necessary to human life. The sodium and chloride of salt, along with potassium, are electrolytes, which help the kidneys regulate the body's fluid levels and the balance of acids and bases.
Nutritionists recommend about 3 to 8 grams of salt a day in an adult diet. The typical human being, however, consumes 10 to 20 grams of salt a day. In recent years, medical researchers have linked the excessive consumption of sodium (which makes up approximately 40 percent of salt) to hypertension (high blood pressure) in humans. Hypertension can lead to death through heart and kidney diseases and stroke. The sources of salt are seawater, mineral deposits etc.
Salt was procured by the Jews from the Dead Sea, wither from the immense hill or ridge of pure rock salt at its southwest extremity, or from that deposited on the shore by the natural evaporation. The Arabs obtain it in large cakes, two or three inches thick, and sell it in considerable quantities throughout Syria. It well-known preservative qualities, and its importance as a seasoning for food, (Job 6:6), are implied in most of the passages where it is mentioned in Scripture: as in the miraculous healing of a fountain, 2Ki 2:21; in the sprinkling of salt over the sacrifices consumed on God's altar, Le 2:13; Eze 43:24; Mr 9:49; and its use in the sacred incense, Ex 30:35. So also good men are "the salt of the earth," Mt 5:13; and grace, or true wisdom, is the salt of language, Mr 9:50; Col 4:6. See also Eze 16:4. To sow a land with salt - signifies its utter barrenness and desolation; a condition often illustrated in the Bible by allusions to the region of Sodom and Gomorrah, with its soil impregnated with salt, or covered with acrid and slimy pools, |De 29.33; Job 39.9; Eze 47.11; Zep 2.9|.
Salt is also the symbol of perpetuity and incorruption. Thus they said of a covenant, "It is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord," Nu 18:19; 2Ch 13:5. It is also the symbol of hospitality; and of the fidelity due from servants, friends, guests, and officers, to those who maintain them or who receive them at their tables. The governors of the provinces beyond the Euphrates, writing to the king Artaxerxes, tell him, "Because we have maintenance from the king's palace," Ezr 4:14. To eat salt with one is to partake of his hospitality, to derive subsistence from him; and hence he who did so was bound to look after his host's interests (Ezra 4:14, "We have maintenance from the king's palace;" "We are salted with the salt of the palace;" ("We eat the salt of the palace"). Not necessarily meaning that they had "maintenance from the palace," as Authorized Version has it, but that they were bound by sacred obligations fidelity to the king. So in the present day, "to eat bread and salt together" is an expression for a league of mutual amity. It was probably with a view to keep this idea prominently before the minds of the Jews that the use of salt was enjoined on the Israelites in their offerings to God.
VALLEY OF SALT. This place is memorable for the victories of David, 2Sa 8:13; 1Ch 18:12; Ps 60:1-12, and of Amaziah, 2Ki 14:7, over the Edomites. There can be little doubt that the name designates the broad deep valley El-Ghor, prolonged some eight miles south of the Dead Sea to the chalky cliffs called Akrabbim. Like this entire region, it bears the marks of volcanic action, and has an air of extreme desolation. It is occasionally overflowed by the bitter waters of that sea, which rise to the height of fifteen feet. The driftwood on the margin of the valley, which indicates this rise of the water, is so impregnated with salt that it will not burn; and on the northwest side of the valley lies a mountain of salt. Parts of this plain are white with salt; others are swampy, or marked by sluggish streams or standing pools of brackish water. The southern part is covered in part with tamarisks and coarse shrubbery. Some travelers have found here quicksand pits in which camels and horses have been swallowed up and lost, Ge 14:10; Zep 2:9.
Salt was sometimes mixed with the fodder of cattle (Isa. 30:24). New-born children were rubbed with salt (Ezek. 16:4). Disciples are likened unto salt, with reference to its cleansing and preserving uses (Matt. 5:13). When Abimelech took the city of Shechem, he sowed the place with salt, that it might always remain a barren soil (Judg. 9:45). Sir Lyon Playfair argues, on scientific grounds, that under the generic name of "salt," in certain passages, we are to understand petroleum or its residue asphalt. Thus in Gen. 19:26 he would read "pillar of asphalt;" and in Matt. 5:13, instead of "salt," "petroleum," which loses its essence by exposure, as salt does not, and becomes asphalt, with which pavements were made.
Indispensable as salt is to us, it was even more so to the Hebrews, being to them not only an appetizing condiment in the food both of man and a valuable antidote to the effects of the heat of the climate on animal food.
They possessed an inexhaustible and ready supply of it on the southern shores of the Dead Sea. There is one mountain here called Jebel Usdum, seven miles long and several hundred feet high, which is composed almost entirely of salt. The Jews appear to have distinguished between rock-salt and that which was gained by evaporation as the Talmudists particularize one species (probably the latter) as the "salt of Sodom." The salt-pits formed an important source of revenue to the rulers of the country, and Antiochus conferred a valuable boon on Jerusalem by presenting the city with 375 bushels of salt for the temple service. As one of the most essential articles of diet, salt symbolized hospitality; as an antiseptic, durability, fidelity and purity. Hence the expression "covenant of salt,"
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matt. 5:13
“Ye are the salt of the earth” Our Lord shows here what the preachers of the Gospel (Clergy and laity), and what all who profess to follow him, should be; the salt of the earth, to preserve the world from putrefaction and destruction. ( Le 2:13). The ministers of the word especially (unless they will be the most cowardly of all) must lead others both by word and deed to this greatest joy and happiness. Your doctrine must be very sound and good, for if it is not so, it will not be regarded and cast away as a thing unsavoury and vain. What will you have to salt with? And so are fools in the Latin tongue called "saltless", as you would say, men that have no salt or savour and taste in them.
SALT was the opposite to leaven, for it preserved from putrefaction and corruption, and signified the purity and persevering fidelity that were necessary in the worship of God. Every thing was seasoned with it, to signify the purity and perfection that should be extended through every part of the Divine service, and through the hearts and lives of God's worshippers. It was called the salt of the covenant of God, because as salt is incorruptible, so was the covenant made with Abram, Isaac, Jacob, and the patriarchs, relative to the redemption of the world by the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ.
Among the heathens salt was a common ingredient in all their sacrificial offerings; and as it was considered essential to the comfort and preservation of life, and an emblem of the most perfect corporeal and mental endowments, so it was supposed to be one of the most acceptable presents they could make unto their gods, from whose sacrifices it was never absent
Salt renders food pleasant and palatable, - to preserve it from corruption, to season its insipidity, to freshen and sweeten it and preserves it from putrefaction. So Christians, by their lives and instructions, are to keep the world from entire moral corruption. By bringing down, by their prayers, the blessing of God, and by their influence and example, Holy Doctrine, prayers, etc, they save the world from universal vice and crime. This is not for the apostles and ministers only; but for all who are God’s holy people - the salt of the earth and season to others. Mr 9:50; Lu 14:34.
There was not salt (Christians) enough in the antediluvian world to save it from the flood during the time of Noah, in Sodom and Gomorrah to save it from fire, nor in Canaan to preserve its people from destruction. What Christians are to be in themselves--seasoned with the gospel, with the salt of grace; thoughts and affections, words and actions, all seasoned with grace, Col 4:6. Have salt in yourselves; else you cannot diffuse it among others, Mr 9:50. What great blessings they are to the world. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were a vast heap of unsavoury stuff, ready to putrefy; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines, to season it with knowledge and grace, and so to render it acceptable to God, to the angels, and to all that relish divine things.
“But if the salt have lost his savour” That this is possible in the land of Judea, we have proof from Mr. Maundrell, who, describing the Valley of Salt, speaks thus: "Along, on one side of the valley, toward Gibul, there is a small precipice about two men's lengths, occasioned by the continual taking away of the salt; and, in this, you may see how the veins of it lie. I broke a piece of it, of which that part that was exposed to the rain, sun, and air, though it had the sparks and particles of salt, YET IT HAD PERFECTLY LOST ITS SAVOUR: the inner part, which was connected to the rock, retained its savour, as I found by proof." A preacher, or private Christian, who has lost the life of Christ, and the witness of his Spirit, out of his soul, may be likened to this salt. He may have the sparks and glittering particles of true wisdom, but without its unction or comfort. Only that which is connected with the rock (Jesus Christ), the soul that is in union with Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit, can preserve its savour, and be instrumental of good to others.
The salt used in this country is a chemical compound--muriate of soda-- and if the saltiness was lost, or it was to lose its savour, there would be nothing remaining. It is worthy of note that the salt of Palestine gathered from the marshes is not pure. Because of the foreign substances in it, it loses its savor and becomes insipid and useless, when exposed to the sun and air, or when permitted for any considerable time to come in contact with the ground; but pure salt does not lose its savor. It is common in Syria and Palestine to see salt scattered in piles on the ground because it has lost its flavor. The salt in these countries were mixed with earthy substances, which remained after it had lost its saltiness, and were thrown like gravel upon the walks, and trodden down. This kind of salt is common still in that country. It is found in the earth in veins or layers, and when exposed to the sun and rain, loses its saltiness entirely. Mr. Maundrell says,
"I broke a piece of it, of which that part that was exposed to the rain, sun, and air, though it had the sparks and particles of salt, yet it had perfectly lost its savour. The inner part, which was connected to the rock, retained its savour, as I found by proof."
Of salt Unsavory" or "insipid" this is to lose its saline or salting property. The meaning is: If that Christianity on which the health of the world depends, does in any age, region, or individual, exist only in name, or if it contain not those saving elements for want of which the world languishes,
How shall the salting qualities be restored it? (Compare Mr 9:50). Whether salt ever does lose its saline property--about which there is a difference of opinion--is a question of no moment here. The point of the case lies in the supposition--that if it should lose it, the consequence would be as here described – good for nothing but to be trampled under foot by men. So it is with Christians. The question is not: Can, or do, the saints ever totally lose that grace which makes them a blessing to their fellow men? But, what is to be the issue of that Christianity which is found wanting in those elements which can alone stay the corruption and season the tastelessness of an all--pervading carnality? The restoration or non-restoration of grace, or true living Christianity, to those who have lost it, has, in our judgment, nothing at all to do here. The question is not, If a man lose his grace, how shall that grace be restored to him? But, since living Christianity is the only "salt of the earth," if men lose that, what else can supply its place? What follows is the appalling answer to this question. “It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out--a figurative expression of indignant exclusion from the kingdom of God (compare Mt 8:12; 22:13; Joh 6:37; 9:34).
If they be not salty, they are as salt that has lost its savour. If you, who should season others, are yourselves unsavoury, void of spiritual life, relish, and vigour; if a Christian be so, especially if a minister be so, his condition is very sad; for He is irrecoverable - Wherewith shall it be salted? Salt is a remedy for unsavoury meat, but there is no remedy for unsavoury salt. Christianity will give a man a relish; but if a man can take up and continue the profession of it, and yet remain flat and foolish, and graceless and insipid, no other doctrine, no other means, can be applied, to make him savoury. If Christianity do not do it, nothing will.
“To be trodden underfoot” There was a species of salt in Judea, which was generated at the lake Asphaltites, and hence called bituminous salt, easily rendered vapid, and of no other use but to be spread in a part of the temple, to prevent slipping in wet weather. This is probably what our Lord alludes to in this place. The existence of such a salt, and its application to such a use… the most worthless thing imaginable
Such a Christian who has lost his saltiness is unprofitable: It is thenceforth good for nothing; what use can it be put to, in which it will not do more hurt than good? As a man without reason, so is a Christian without grace. A wicked man is the worst of creatures; a wicked Christian is the worst of men; and a wicked minister is the worst of Christians. He is doomed to ruin and rejection; He shall be cast out--expelled the church and the communion of the faithful, to which he is a blot and a burden; and he shall be trodden under foot of men. Let God be glorified in the shame and rejection of those by whom he has been reproached, and who have made themselves fit for nothing but to be trampled upon. (Rev. 3:16)
Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrefy; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they are as salt that has lost its savour. If a man can take up the profession of Christ, and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means, can make him profitable. Our light must shine, by doing such good works as men may see. We must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.
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