So, I was bringing kids home from horse back riding the other day when the topic of swimsuits and bikinis came up in the car. I am not even sure how it came about. One of the girls said "I know a family that lets their kids wear bikinis. They are Christians though..."
Though...that lingered in my mind. So I replied "You can be a Christian and wear a bikini. True statement. (**I didn't add that I was one of them at times...like while Todd and I are away on a cruise, sharing that with these girls at this moment of time where they are still figuring out preference and actual laid out laws in the Bible**) You can love the Lord and wear a bikini. Although, my girls aren't allowed to wear them...to each their own. Every family is solely responsible to God for how they raise their family."
It was an interesting topic of conversation about modesty. But what we didn't address was pride. Because what happens when people make up rules (that aren't necessarily in the Bible) it becomes LEGALISM. We all have convictions about certain things, but when we look at ourselves and completely disapprove of a preference of another, then it becomes a point of pride. You are thinking that in your own mind...whatever it is that you are doing or not doing in your preferences and convictions, that you are better than the other person.
I truly HATE LEGALISM. I hate it. It is the most rotting thing that Christians can impose upon their children and in the lives of others. When you tell others how they should dress (trust me, everyone has different preferences in the code of modesty), what color of nail polish is appropriate for whatever age...I mean, really...is that a hill you want to die on?? Those are just the extremely superficial topics of legalism, I am not even pressing upon the heated ones of drinking alcohol or the usage of King James only...
While we are to be sensitive to others convictions, we need not judge others if our convictions vary. We need to realize when something is a true conviction that Christ has laid upon our hearts, or if it is a man made preference imposed on us by another human that was created because of a man-made opinion. For an example...
I had this friend in high school. Well, more of an acquaintance, our parents were friends. She was not allowed to wear hoop earrings of any sort. Because, her dad said they looked like hooker earrings. That is an opinion. Now, if that is the rule in their house, it's the rule. Children are to obey their parents, even if their rules don't make any sense. But no where in the bible does it say you shouldn't wear hoop earrings.
So, if you have strong convictions...that is all good and fine. I have my own. I will do my best not to impose them upon you. I will do my best not to judge you even if you are the one with strong opinions that you feel you need to impose upon me, although I can not promise we will be good friends.
I am happy to love my fellow Christians, even if from afar. And those that are wallowing in legalism, I will be happy over here enjoying my freedom in Christ and hoping that one day you can be freed from the claws of legalism and enjoy God's Grace over here with me.
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