The Apostolic Voice

©2015 Stan Hallett

Jesus said “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”. We are no longer under the covenant of the law, no more than we are under the covenant Adam had in the Garden, or the covenant that Adam’s offspring had, or the covenant that Noah’s offspring had, or even the covenant that Abraham and his offspring had (there were six covenants in all).

Those of us that have obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4), have repented, have been baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins, and have been filled the the Holy Ghost, are in the New Covenant.

Many of us that are led by the Spirit of God may be led in one direction or another in many areas. It may be in our speech and how we communicate with others. It may be in the ways that we conduct ourselves and our actions. It may be the in the way that we dress, or in other ways. It is birthed in us by being sensitive to the Spirit of God.

As we walk with the Lord He will bring about changes in us as we become more like Him. As parents we should also teach our children how to conduct themselves. Likewise it is also good that we are an example to others. However that is where it should stop.

To impose our convictions on others as some sort of rule, requirement, or law, is to place a yoke of bondage on them. The truth be told if they do not do a thing that we believe is right, and we cause them to do it by constraint or cajoling, have we fixed anything?

If for example someone that begins attending services smokes, or dresses somewhat immodestly, and we impose our rules upon them, have we brought them into a closer relationship with God? No we have not. The problem is not the smoking or the immodest dress, the problem is the heart.

If they have yet to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ Name, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, will any rules that we impose help them? No, in fact often times the rules and legalism only serve to drive many away from the Church, and from God.

If for example the Holy Spirit led you to wear purple pants, it would naturally follow that all that were led of the Spirit would wear purple pants. But if a newcomer came for a few services wearing blue jeans, should you take him aside at some point and explain that we’re purple pants people?

It sounds humorous I know, but some of us do just that! If the person’s heart was in the right place they may conform to your rule, but have you brought them into a closer walk with God? They may be wearing the right color pants but they’re still going to hell if they do not obey the gospel and walk with the Lord.

We have a lot of people that come to church services that have the right look, use the right lingo, and act the right way, but if it’s just an act to be accepted by a legalistic Church what will become of them? We have too many that go along to get along, but in reality their homes and their lives are not right.

God said that man looks at the outward appearance but God sees the heart. We better start seeing people as God sees them if we are going to win souls. Are we soul winners or fashion police?

I’m not talking about losing our personal standards. I’m talking about saving souls. Our assemblies should be Spiritual hospitals for the Spiritually sick that need to be healed. I have no problem seeing people attending our services with green hair, tattoos, and pierced eyebrows. Once they are converted they probably won’t stay that way!

Far too many of our assemblies look like a club for members only. All the women have extremely long hair, all wearing dresses and skirts, and no make-up. This stands out like a neon sign to many visitors (especially women) to the point that they feel out of place and uncomfortable. It says that; “we are not going to accept you until you conform and look like us”.  That is a heavy yoke for many, and it serves to push people away.

Do I think that women should wear skirts or dresses?  Yes, if they are modest, and not too short or too tight, but not for the reason you may think. I believe that dresses properly fitting are more modest than slacks. Slacks, or pants typically fit more closely to the women’s shape therefor are less modest in most cases.

The scripture that many use to justify outlawing pants-like clothing for women (Deuteronomy 22:5) is NOT applicable to this.  First, it was under the law.  If we are going to be under the law then we need to be under the whole law and not just the parts that some like.  We are under grace!

Secondly, Deuteronomy 22:5 has to do with a women dressing up to appear as a man or a man dressing up to appear as a woman. It does not have to do with the cut of the cloth that covers us.  If that was the case then all were in sin when the scripture was written, because all wore very similar clothing and no one wore pants.  The only difference was that a woman’s was slightly longer, and therefore more modest, may have been more colorful, more ornamented or been of a finer material. No one wore pants, purple or otherwise.

What I have seen in many assemblies is that the pastor will set so called “holiness standards” for his assembly, and preach it from the pulpit.  This is a yoke of bondage that does much more harm than good. Over time the ones that conform will remain, and the others will leave.

What happens is you have an assembly where everyone looks the same making newcomers uncomfortable because they don’t fit in. Many will see it as weird (because it is) and leave. Because this is taught as a requirement many in that assembly will look down on anyone that does not look like them, and judge them as unsaved, or rebellious.

I have seen assemblies that are close in proximity who preach the same gospel message, yet the one with these “holiness standards” will not accept the other as brethren because of these standards that they adhere to as requirements, and the other assembly gives liberty and does not.

The word will be spread: “You know, the pastor’s wife over at that assembly cuts her hair” or, “I’ve seen some of their women wear pants”, “They don’t have any holiness standards over there”.

This teaching comes from ignorance of what God’s Word really teaches concerning these matters.  I touch on some of them on this site, like Hair for example.

These so-called “holiness standards” cause great harm. Should we be covered and modest in our dress? Yes, of course we should. But we need to give grace, love people right where they are at.  We should set an example, but that is where it should stop.

Jesus said; “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”. He said that we “must be born of the water and of the Spirit to see the kingdom of God”. He did not say that all that do not conform to a pastors dress code will be lost.

Can you imagine being lost over the cut of the cloth of your clothing or the length of your hair? Perhaps you just got saved, and Jesus came but you were lost because you did not realize that you should not be wearing that pearl necklace or that lipstick you put on that morning!

The Church should be a hospital for the spiritually sick and wounded! I have often said that I don’t mind seeing people with things like pierced eyebrows and green hair in service. It means that perhaps God’s drawing them.  It means they are hearing the Word of God!  If they obey the gospel and begin to walk with the Lord, their appearance will change as their heart is changed.  It does not work the other way around.

Do you have questions?  Feel free to write to me via my contact form.