Ask The Pastor

October 16, 2006

> Question:
>
> I have another question. U said Duet.22:5 is just to distinguish the
> maleness and femaleness of the sexes. so does that mean that old
> testament scriptures are just for references not that we have to live
> by them? Can u tell me what modest apparel is?

This is a rather complicated question. It is important to know the difference between the covenant of Moses as a covenant of righteousness, and the sum total of all the Old Testament Scriptures. The former testament has a purpose in bringing us to Christ. It can be said that the Old Testament wraps itself around Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament includes much more than the Law of Moses. The Law was given on Mount Sinai as a governing instrument for a single people group. There was no Law of Moses before Israel came out of Egypt. The Law was for Israel only. It was primarily a land covenant designed to give Israel her place among the nations as representatives of God. The deeper purpose of the Law was to prepare a people for the coming Messiah. This is why the Bible says that, "All the prophets and the Law prophesied until John." (Matt11:13)

To answer your question as to the usefulness of the Law of Moses, yes, it can be used for study purposes. There is much in the Law that can help shape our moral lives. In this case the Old Testament can serve as a text book of the Holy Spirit to instill in our hearts the deeper principles of our walk with the Lord. But keep in mind that the apostle said there is one thing that we can do that will fulfill all that the covenant of Moses was designed to do. If we learn how to walk in love, then we have fulfilled the underlying purpose of the Law.

The Law of Moses has no application to a Christian as a covenant instrument.

As for modest apparel, here is what Paul says; "Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or garments." (1Tim2:9)

This Scripture may seem a bit difficult but Paul is speaking to the times when some women would braid their hair with gold and use pearls and silver as adornments to the extent of appearing as fashion models. All this was done to draw attention to their persons and their femaleness. Their motives were for the men and other women to look at them.

The terms modestly and discreetly are important to understand. Modest apparel speaks of dressing honorably, that is, to dress in a way that the female body is not being accented in an improper manner. It means that women should dress in a way that speaks of her godliness, and not in a manner that would excite men sensually.

The word discreet speaks of having good judgment. A woman should be able to judge for herself if her clothing is appropriate. The Greek word that Paul is using simply refers to having a sound mind.

Hope this helps.

Blessings,

Buddy

Bro. Buddy Martin - Ask the Pastor

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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org

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