Just a comment or two on what I bolded. Amen !TeleBodyofChrist wrote: I know everyone here can do what they want, but I hope there is still love here? I understand where both of you are coming from. I even reached out to Josh through PM telling him I understand feeling the way he feels as I have experienced it from both other Christians and Anabaptist Christians for lack of a better way to differentiate.
Sudsy, it sounds like you are saying it should be Holy Spirit led and the person should be personally convicted. When the rules are the sole basis to fellowship and people are possibly punished for not doing everything exactly the same you have an issue with it. You do not have a issue with modesty itself but concern that there is not a deeper understanding of why people should be modest.
Josh, you seem to understand this as well but see the need for the rules and the specific guidelines.
I really think this is going to be based on our previous experiences with the world and what we took away from it. I know for me while I agree we have to be personally convicted some people need that guidance and accountability. I understand that everyone is not the same and even though I am strong some are not strong in the same way. At the same time, I think the problem you might be seeing with the youth Josh is the lack of personal conviction and just the knowledge of how to follow a rule.
It is true, that without personal conviction people will drift further to the point of what we have seen in the mainstream church.
I think we are somewhat agreeing but not saying it the the same way if that makes sense.
I do know that the second video brings up this discussion again and gender roles as this is what is different for the young teenagers. I hope we are able to discuss this without anyone thinking it is personally directed to them.
Often it is just a communication thing but we should always examine our hearts as we share our differences. I believe we all are keen on furthering the Kingdom and observing how others go about doing that.
I like many things the Amish do in their more simplified lifestyle. My biggest reservation is that this lifestyle, imo, is too removed from those Christ came to save to make much impact. I think the joy Jesus talked about was not so much in family life and accomplishing earthly things but rather the kind of joy Paul and Silas had when circumstances were very bad and they were able to sing praises in a dark, dirty prison cell. It is in the uncomfortable and troublesome settings in this life that Kingdom joy is made manifest. It was the joy set before Him that Jesus endured the cross. How radical this is today when we are brainwashed constantly to avoid everything uncomfortable.