A friend asked this question some few hours ago-the question has been paraphrased just for the the purpose of the write up. I told him this and I feel I should share with you
In reference to the things mentioned above, I believe Scriptures are not as plain as the issues of fornication, adultery, idolatry etc have been fiercely condemned (see Galatians 5:19-21). It therefore becomes very taxing handling issues such as these.
And please bear in mind that the Bible can ‘say’ whatever you would want it to say. For instance, Jesus said in Luke 10:37b (New Living Translation)‘Go and do the same’. And we also know in Genesis that Cain killed his brother Abel (See Genesis 4:8). Someone with whatever intention can just quote these two scriptures and ‘charge’ people to go and murder others. This may be an extreme case but the point I want to underscore is that one can make the Bible say whatever they want it to say.
With my traveling experience, I think that matters of such nature depend on the individual faith, custom or culture and how the Spirit of God within the Christian leads them. After all, at a point in time, the Apostle Paul appealed to custom in his defense ... (see 1 Corinthians 11:16). So custom and cultures are very important in our Christian faith.
I also think one of the best scripture - if not the best - that answers these matters is ROMANS 14.
So as I have already said (I continue on a follow-up question), matters of such nature can be situated in the Romans 14. For instance one believes Saturday is a sabbath and must therefore observe is accordingly. Yet another thinks all days are holy and can be observed as ‘sabbath’. So let the one who chooses only Saturday NOT judge the other and let the other NOT despise the one who chooses Saturday. (See verse 3)
Now on the cultural issue, let’s consider this. As a Ghanaian, I cannot use my left hand on the elderly. If I do, it will be considered as disrespectful and that will be a sin to me but the Korean or American uses the left hand for ‘everything’ and on everyone. But this in no way could be a sin to them because it is culturally acceptable.
Now on the issue of hair plaiting, make up (though I don’t know what is missing and need to be made up 😅), I believe it’s not a sin and therefore I can do it. If another thinks it’s a sin, let them abstain. Remember anything done out of faith is a sin (See Romans 14:23).
Having said this, let me add that the love of Christ constrains us (2 Corinthians 5:14). Some time past, while we evangeliszed on the field, we admonished the women who were with us not to wear trousers for outreach. We did that not because we were against it (they were allowed to wear them while we were home especially at night because of mosquitoes bites) but because of our hearers of whom we perceived some opposed women wearing trousers. So we became everything to every man so at least we may win some (See 1 Corinthians 9:19).
In conclusion, the spirit of God is within us and we can allow Him to lead us on every decision pertaining to life and godliness. Please meditate on Romans 14!
#Hour of Hope#
richardadupoku2045@gmail.com
Sincerely
Richard Adu Poku
