Holiness - inward and outward.
A person can have the outward appearance of holiness, yet he or she is not holy.
Example:
I traveled with an Apostolic pastor to and from a class at Purpose Institute. Each time he had his radar detector going to keep from getting another speeding ticket. Sure, he was always dressed modestly with a short hair cut, etc., but was he really holy?
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake." Romans 13:1-5
My wife is Holy! inward and outward.
Outward
Hair
My wife has not cut her hair since she was twenty-two year of age. That was a very long time ago! Her hair is a sign of consecration to Jesus.
Have you noticed a woman with short hair acts differently than a woman with long hair. Does a woman with short hair act more manly than a woman with long hair?
Pants
I have never seen my wife in pants. why? She doesn't have a pair of pants. Just like I don't have a dress.
Why are pants an issue? I hadn't noticed the following. Dana points out the fact that a woman wearing pants moves differently than when she is wearing a dress. Her movements are more manly.
A wife may complain about her husband not treating her as a lady. Well, wife do you look and act like a lady? Or, do you look and acts like one of his good buddies?
The point I am trying to make is that outward appearance may point to an inward spiritual problem or lead to a spiritual problem.
Example:
Someone may dress in a provocative manner causing attention leading to advances from the opposite sex which can lead into fornication/adultery.
In Jesus,
Bruce and Dana
