Christianity and Earthly Laws

Many times laws are passed that people are uncomfortable with for one reason or another.  At what point should a Christian refuse to obey the law?  Matthew 17:24-26 addresses this issue.  “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

He saith, Yes.

And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers.

Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” 

Under Roman law Territories outside Rome were required to pay tribute to support the Roman military and government for their region.  Citizens of Rome were largely exempt from this tribute.   Most Jews resented paying the Roman taxes and many refused to pay.   The tax collectors asked Peter if Jesus paid taxes.  Peter wasn’t sure, but he answered yes, not wishing to get Jesus into trouble. 

When he came into the house, Jesus stopped him, asking whether he thought rulers would be more likely to collect taxes from their own supporters and family, or from people from other lands doing business in a country.  It was obvious to Peter that the primary taxes would be made against foreigners who benefitted from living in the country.  The king’s own children and people around him serve as his representatives and ambassadors, receiving the benefit of the taxes he collects. 

The king’s ambassadors and representatives are responsible for promoting good relations between the king’s government and the people around them, and obeying the laws or paying the taxes would greatly improve such relationships.  Ambassadors who refuse to obey the countries laws may have their diplomatic immunity revoked and be forced to leave the country.  Their sending country may revoke their diplomatic immunity and allow them to be prosecuted for their crimes in an effort to preserve a peaceful relationship between the countries and promote cooperation.

Christians are God’s children, and they are his representatives  to the world.  To promote peace between God and the people on earth, it is necessary Christians show respect to the people of the world, obeying the same laws they obey.  It is with this in mind that Paul wrote Romans 13:1-7. 

“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.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  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: 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.

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

While God is ultimate ruler of the universe, he has authorized worldly governments.  As his children, we are to respect the authority he has given them, obeying the laws they have made.  We have not been granted diplomatic immunity, and they have the authority to enforce those laws.  We should obey the laws because it is the right thing to do and God has commanded us obey, not because we fear the punishment.   If we refuse, we are defying God. 

The only time we have the right to disobey the law is when the law clearly violates God’s commands, in which case, as Acts 5:29 states, “…We ought to obey God rather than men.”   We do not have the right to disobey because it contradicts our convictions or offends our conscience.  Our convictions or our conscience are not to be our God.

Powerful Faith

When Jesus went up on the mount of transfiguration, nine of his disciples had been left behind.  Because they were his disciples, the people came to them for help.  Matthew 17:14-16 describes what had happened.  “And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is a lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.” 

Everyone, including the disciples had expected them to be able to cast out the demon, because when the twelve went out they had been excited about being able to cast out demons.  The father of the child was really concerned that they could not do it, and asked Jesus if he could help him.  He was concerned that the boy was insane and frequently did self- destructive things.  Sooner or later he would probably die of one of them. 

Jesus wondered how long it would be before they finally believed in him.   He had no problem healing the child, in Matthew 17:17-18.   “Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.”  He was frustrated that the people had no doubt of his power cast out demons and heal the child, yet refused to believe he was the Messiah.   What would it take to convince them?  

“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:19-21)

The disciples were concerned that they had been unable to cast out this demon when others had been no problem.  Jesus responded that the problem was a lack of faith on their part.  Even a small amount of faith would enable them to do anything.   Jesus was not scolding them for the lack of faith, but pointed out that such faith can only be obtained through prayer and fasting. 

Unfortunately most people are more concerned with casting out the demon or obtaining a desired result than they are with growing their faith.  As a result they fast and pray trying to get God to act.  Their fasting becomes no more than a hunger strike in an attempt to force God to give in, and their prayers are just nagging, in an attempt to wear him down. 

Isaiah 58:5-9 forbids fasting to try to get God to do something.  “Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.  Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.  Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.” 

Fasting that pleases God is focused on getting to know him better and doing what he has commanded.   The parable of the unjust Judge points out that God is not like the unjust judge and does not need to be nagged to get a response.  When we pray in such a manner, it is because we lack faith, as we see in Matthew 6:7-8, and our praying becomes sinful.  “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”   I John 5:14-15 tells us, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 

When our prayers and fasting are focused on getting to know the Lord rather than on getting what we want, then the Holy Spirit produces faith in us that can face any challenge.   When we only pray for results, our faith does not grow. 

A Vision On a Mountaintop

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. ” (Matthew 17:1-4)

Peter, James, and John would be the disciples who had the most impact on the church in the future, with James taking primary responsibility for the church at Jerusalem and James and John traveling to the local churches to teach and encourage them, as we see in Acts 8.  Jesus took all three to the Mount of transfiguration, where he was transfigured, taking on some of his heavenly glory while retaining his human form.  Two of Israel’s most respected historical figures, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus, confirming again that he was the Messiah.

Excited by what was happening, Peter suggested they build a place for each of them to stay so that they could continue to have the experience.  Throughout history, after a profound emotional experience such as this, groups have established conference grounds or meetings to try to carry on the emotional impact, much as Peter suggested. 

“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” (Matthew 17:5-9)

God spoke from heaven, declaring that Jesus was his son, just as he had done at Jesus’ baptism.  He stressed that they needed to focus on Jesus Christ and his teachings, rather than on their experiences or feelings.   Hearing God’s voice frightened the disciples, but Jesus told them they had nothing to fear.   When they looked around, God had taken away the things that had so excited them.  The vision had been given to drive home more fully that Jesus was truly God’s son and the Messiah, a Jesus told them they were not share it with anyone until after he was resurrected from the dead. 

This command made no sense to disciples because for centuries the Jews had known that the prophecies said Elijah would come before Messiah took action, and they had just seen Elijah.  They questioned Jesus about this in Matthew 17:10-13.  “And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.  But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.  Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”   Jesus explained that the prophecy was true, but that it was not talking about Elijah himself, but about one who would be like him, trying to turn the people’s hearts toward God and that the prophecy had already been fulfilled.  The disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist, and that their vision of Elijah talking to Jesus had nothing to do with fulfilling the prophecy. 

Efforts to regain the emotional high resulting from the vision would have prevented them from getting the spiritual message god intended.  Unfortunately, many today become so caught up in the emotional impact they miss the spiritual lessons to be learned from such experiences.  The mountain top experience is only to prepare us for living in the valley.  We cannot please God trying to live on the mountain top.

Later both Peter and John would mention having personally heard God declare Jesus to be his son. 

A Commitment Is Required

In the previous post, we talked about the importance of finding out what all the scriptures say, rather than simply jumping to conclusions.  Because everything about being a Christian is so interrelated, Jesus constantly reviews and repeats the various principles they know, building a little on them each time, somewhat like a good math or science teacher introducing new concepts.   One of these areas is in what it takes to be saved.  Many believe that all that is required is simply praying and asking God to save you, quoting Romans 10:9-10 as proof.  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 

As a result, they conclude that Jesus statements in Matthew 16:2-26 or Luke 14:26-27 have to be referring to something other than salvation.  Others take the opposite position that salvation is entirely dependent on one’s behaving well enough to earn his salvation.  If we recognize the Bible is God’s word, then both statements are true.  We need to study the scriptures, meditating on them and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us understand how that is possible.  Let’s start by examining Matthew 16:24-27. 

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

The warning about losing one’s soul makes it pretty clear this is about salvation, not just how faithfully one serves after being saved.  As we saw in the parable of the tares and wheat and the parable of the net, God’s angels will separate between those who have been saves and those who have not.  Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 

Clearly, we are not saved by our own efforts, but by our faith in Jesus Christ. Our salvation is the result of Christ’s work in us, which will result in Good works.  A great many people have obtained information about how to deal with various health problems.  Unfortunately many of them will never put the information into practice, and as a result, although they obtained the information, they gain no benefit because they do not believe it enough to act on it.  In much the same way, a person can make a profession of faith, but without a commitment to follow through, they will not receive the benefits, and will not be saved. 

Luke 14:26-33 emphasizes the same point.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” 

Thewse two passages do not change what is required for salvation.  As Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  It does make us understand clearly that believing involves believing to such a degree that we are willing to give up our earthly life and benefits in order to be saved, allowing Christ to accomplish his work in us. 

Without such a commitment, one is much like the illegal immigrants, demanding all the rights and privileges of American citizens while refusing to obey the laws or take the responsibilities of citizens.  I John 10:1 is quite clear anyone trying to get in another way has no right to be there.  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”  John 10:10 tells us, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…”  Those who try to enter illegally have no concern for what is right, but only for what they might be able to get.  Only those who come legitimately are allowed into God’s kingdom. 

Don’t Jump To Conclusions

“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)”

The Jews had long believed that the Messiah would come to earth as the great king, and set everything right, and Jesus disciples were no exception.   After all, there were numerous prophecies such as Isaiah 9:6-7 that referred to him as the great king.  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” 

When Jesus began to talk about being killed, it seemed like a contradiction of everything the scriptures said about the Messiah.  Peter was convinced Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, and he could not believe such things would happen to him.  Jesus rebuked Peter sharply for his insistence that it could not be true.  Like the other Jews, he was ignoring prophecies such as Isaiah 53:3-9.  “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” 

It was crucial that Jesus came and paid for people’s sins.  If he did not, even the strictes Pharisees could never be saved, because the rules in the Law were never intended as a means of salvation.  Romans 3:20 tells us, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  The law only made people aware of their sin, it did not tell how to get rid of it and as Romans 3:23 tells us, “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  Without Jesus death on the cross no one could qualify as a citizen of the kingdom. 

Like the other Jews, Peter was only focused on the result he wanted, and ignored God’s plan.  Sadly, many times we do the same thing today, focusing on a few verses that support our ideas or positions, and ignoring those which do not.  As a result, we may find ourselves teaching or acting against Christ and his plan, sincerely thinking we are right.  We need to remember that as II Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” and that as II Peter 1:20 tells us, “…no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”  Every teaching of scripture is equally true.  Apparent contradictions indicate that we are not understanding them correctly and need to study more fully, rather than picking a position and ignoring things that do not seem to agree.    This is true, whether we are discussing salvation, the gifts of the Spirit, church polity, prophecy, or any other religious issue.  Conflicts are invariably the result of a lack of study of the scriptures or an unspiritual attitude.   Don’t jump to conclusions on the basis of one or two passages.

The Vital Question

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)

John the Baptist had been killed by Herod, and some people thought he might have come back as Jesus.  Others thought he might be Elijah because of the prophecies about him coming to prepare the way of the Lord.  Still others thought he might be Jeremiah or some great prophet.   Literally, their response was the same as a great many people today, that Jesus was very important religious figure and a great moral teacher, comparable to Mohamed or Moses or Buddha. 

When Jesus asked who the disciples thought he was, Peter said that they believed he was the Messiah  that God had promised.  Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah or promised one.  He went on to describe him as the son of the living God.  The wording here implies a physical son, not just a spiritual relationship.  John 3:16-18 refers to Jesus as the only begotten son.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”  The Phrase “only begotten son” means that Jesus is the only son physically born to God, in the same way a human child is born to a human father through the natural birthing process.    While humans or angels may be referred to as children of God because they were created by him, they were not born to God by the natural process.   

 Literally Peter was saying Jesus is God born in a natural human manner.   He is not just another great prophet or teacher.  I John 4 gives a series of tests for determining whether a religious teacher or movement is from God or not.  The very first test is what they believe about who Jesus is, according to I John 4:2-3.  “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”  If they do not believe Jesus is God come in the form of a natural human being, they are inspired by a Satanic spirit, rather than the Holy Spirit. 

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19)

Peter’s belief was not based on human logic or claims, but on what God had taught him.  He then went on to refer to Peter by his Greek name of Petros, or a small stone, in a play on words, saying he would built his church on Petra, the bedrock or mother stone, of which Peter would be just a small piece.  Time after time, we are told that that Rock is Jesus, the chief cornerstone and foundation of God’s church.  The church will never be destroyed by Satanic forces. 

Jesus disciples (Christians) would be given the keys, or means of access into heaven, so that others could go in as well.   I Corinthians 1:21 tells us, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”  Christians were given the responsibility for telling others about Christ so that those who would believe could be saved.  Those who believed on earth would be saved for eternity, and those who did not would be condemned for eternity.  There would be no Purgatory, no changing their mind after death.

The Jews knew what the scriptures said about the Messiah, and would have to make their own decision whether they believed Jesus was him or not.  Matthew 16:20 tells us, “Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.” Salvation requires sincere belief.  Simply giving mental assent to his being the Messiah will not save anyone.  

Jumping to Conclusions

Just a few days before Jesus had fed five thousand men with a little boys lunch of five loaves and two small fishes.  Less than twenty four hours before, he had fed four thousand men with seven loaves and few small fishes.   After responding toe Pharisees demand for another sign, he and the disciples went across the Sea of Galilee.  Matthew 16:5 tells us, “And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.”

Jesus was still thinking about what the Pharisees had demanded.  Matthew 16:6 tells us, “Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”  After hours of rowing and sailing, the disciples were hungry, and thinking about where they could get something to eat.  They immediately jumped to the conclusion Jesus was scolding them for forgetting to bring anything to eat, as Matthew 16:7 says.  “And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.”  They simply assumed he was talking about what they were thinking about, rather than listening to what he was saying. 

“Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?  Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?” (Matthew 16:8-11)

Jesus realized what they were thinking and reminded them that each time the fed the multitude, after everyone had eaten as much as they wanted, there was more left over than they started with.   Clearly, a lack of food was no problem for him.   That they were worrying about having food enough revealed their own lack of faith.  Jesus had said nothing about food itself.  He had referred to leaven, which was not the yeast we use today, but rather sourdough starter.   It was like he was warning them that the starter had gotten contaminated and would be dangerous to eat.  After listening to him and thinking about what he said they realized he had not been talking about food at all.  Matthew 16:12 tells us, “Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”

Far too often Christians today make the same kind of mistakes , getting caught up in physical practices rather than understanding them from a spiritual standpoint.  One historical example is to be found in I Corinthians 11, where Paul talks about men having long hair or a woman having short hair being a shame.  Over the centuries some have held the standard that a woman must wear a hat to church and that it is a sin for a man to wear one.  Others have made an issue of a man wearing his hair long, expelling those who do from the church.  In both cases they have ignored the statement in I Corinthians 11:16-17, “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.  Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.” 

Literally, what I Corinthians says is that while this might seem to be an obvious natural thing, churches and pastors who are serving God will not make it an issue.   When we go back into the Old Testament, we find that when a person wanted to dedicate themselves to God for a time, taking the Nazarite vow, they were to shave their head, whether man or woman before taking the vow.  They were not to cut their hair again until the period of the vow was complete, when they were to shave their head again.  God does not command people to sin, yet this is his command, as Numbers 6 tells us.

 The standard that it was a shame for a man to have long hair or a woman to have short hair came out of the Greek culture, rather than from God’s command, and was widely accepted by cultures such as the Corinthians who had been greatly influenced by the Greeks, although the Sadducees had also adopted it.   In making the hair length or wearing a hat an issue, we are adopting a standard that comes from the world rather than God.  When we make such things an issue, we actually place the world’s standards ahead of God, driving people further from him, and hindering their spiritual growth.  We need to be careful the teachings we adopt are actually from God, not just an assumption of what he meant.