OK - now change the picture to a man's jacket lapel with an "I Voted" sticker on it. You are able to identify the spirit of the world behind that, even though the New Testament is "silent" on this subject. Your position is based on the extrapolation of a general principle ("My kingdom is not of this world") to a specific issue.
In Revelation 2, the LORD rebukes two churches for allowing false prophets to teach that it is OK to eat meat sacrificed to idols, yet Paul says we are free to do so! As Peter warns, the untaught twist the things Paul writes to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). We must be careful not to teach "freedom from the Law" in such a way that it leads to lawlessness. Our liberty in Christ is not meant as an opportunity for the flesh (Galatians 5:13).
The eating of meat dedicated to idols has a spiritual component, and Paul did not say eat it, he said don't ask. The Tattoo is a law issue, and if you adhere to any of the Mosaic law you are a debtor to do it all. All things are lawful, but all things are not expedient. I would warn against getting a tattoo without considering the consequences, right of wrong. It may limit your ministry or your employment. But they are not outlawed in the New Testament. There is more New Testament exhortation against retirement accounts than there are against tattoos. The kingdom of Christ lives according to the Spirit and not the letter (law).
I apologize if it appeared that I was arguing for a keeping of the "letter" of the Law. I agree that the prohibition against tattoos in Leviticus is irrevelant; my point is that there is a spirit behind what we choose to do and how we choose to live: the spirit of the world or the Spirit of Chirst. Thanks for your willingness to openly discuss this!
Too funny....
ReplyDeleteOK - now change the picture to a man's jacket lapel with an "I Voted" sticker on it. You are able to identify the spirit of the world behind that, even though the New Testament is "silent" on this subject. Your position is based on the extrapolation of a general principle ("My kingdom is not of this world") to a specific issue.
ReplyDeleteIn Revelation 2, the LORD rebukes two churches for allowing false prophets to teach that it is OK to eat meat sacrificed to idols, yet Paul says we are free to do so! As Peter warns, the untaught twist the things Paul writes to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). We must be careful not to teach "freedom from the Law" in such a way that it leads to lawlessness. Our liberty in Christ is not meant as an opportunity for the flesh (Galatians 5:13).
The eating of meat dedicated to idols has a spiritual component, and Paul did not say eat it, he said don't ask. The Tattoo is a law issue, and if you adhere to any of the Mosaic law you are a debtor to do it all. All things are lawful, but all things are not expedient.
ReplyDeleteI would warn against getting a tattoo without considering the consequences, right of wrong. It may limit your ministry or your employment. But they are not outlawed in the New Testament. There is more New Testament exhortation against retirement accounts than there are against tattoos.
The kingdom of Christ lives according to the Spirit and not the letter (law).
I apologize if it appeared that I was arguing for a keeping of the "letter" of the Law. I agree that the prohibition against tattoos in Leviticus is irrevelant; my point is that there is a spirit behind what we choose to do and how we choose to live: the spirit of the world or the Spirit of Chirst. Thanks for your willingness to openly discuss this!
ReplyDelete