Let's have a girl's talk today!
Did you experience wearing sexy clothes and dresses? As you walk along the way, some people smile at you, others would say "you're very sexy today!" As you had this experience, you gained confidence in yourself.
The next time around, you would love that confidence and wear the same dress again. You begin to love fashion, and hope it would make you immediately popular like celebrities, how they wear the desired styles and fashion. You will become conscious of the color of your hair, paint of your nails, paint of your lips and your the face. You will be drawn to the world until nothing about you is different from them.
You did not mind to the people around you, even your parents. And you tell yourself "who cares", "mind your own business, I am happy with what I am wearing." I experienced some of those things in my own life.
Then one day when I was at a shopping mall, I saw a woman wearing shorts and fitted sleeveless with a string-like strap, clothes that fits on her body and show off most of her skin. Many people especially men were looking at her. And I observed the eyes of the men looking at her. They were smiling with thoughts in their heads. I whispered myself, "what if I was that girl and men were looking at me maliciously and disrespectful of me. I should not allow men to look my body with a lustful thoughts. It's a big insult on my part."
Yes, I am a christian and I believe God. I pray and go to church, and keep His commandments especially the 4th commandment. But still I love wearing shorts, jeans and fitted clothes in public places and I even colored my hair, until I graduated college and started to pray seriously about my relationship with Jesus.
I believed Jesus' coming is near and I was not still serious in my faith. I was so guilty. I cried in prayers confessing my sins to Him. I wanted to surrender my life to Him. I had a chance to attend a youth convention here in Philippines. I was so blessed and I believed God was with me.
I learned that modesty in dress is very important as a follower of Jesus Christ. After that four day event, I went home full of conviction and faith unto Christ. I directly went to my closet and pull out all my favorite shorts and jeans. It was so difficult for me because I used to wear it everyday except on Saturdays. There were two fighting in my mind, one side said " throw only old jeans, not the new ones, you can use it occasionally", the other side was "throw all of these out, for it will not give glory to God." Sometimes in our lives, when we are going to decide something for the Lord, the enemy tries to pull us to himself and whisper us to compromise, and not give all for the Lord.
A New Beginning
During my first week of wearing a skirt at work, I felt difficult but by God's grace, I was able to overcome the challenge. All of my co-workers noticed the changes on me, even the security guards. They were asking me what's my religion. Others commented, "Are you allowed to wear skirts only?"
I learned the goodness in simplicity and it caused me to love and embrace it. By God's grace, It's been 4 years for me now being modest in dress. There is joy in my heart. I am also delighted that God uses me being an instrument of sharing His love towards other people. Mostly people asked me about my faith. It is easy for me now to share the goodness of the Lord. People's respect and love are there, and there is peace within myself. I have now the confidence in Christ.
I want to share with you what the Bible tells us about modesty that touched my heart and convicted me. The book of Deuteronomy tells that the "woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God" (Deuteronomy 22:5). It is supported by Paul on his letter to Timothy that says "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
Even in the time of Moses, the laws (given to Mt. Sinai) were repeated a second time in the book of Deuteronomy to remind us of the blessing of obedience, the danger of forgetfulness and idolatry of the people. Paul's preaching from nation to nation, reminded people through his letter to Timothy about professing a truly converted Christian wife.
Even in our time (the endtime), God has a messenger to remind us though her writing that "self respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil.
All that we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His Spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things. Those who become new in Christ they will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God, they will follow His steps, reflect His character, and purify themselves even He is pure...The proud and self assertive become meek and lovely in heart...The vain customs of the world are laid aside" (Steps to Christ p.69).
We are a chosen and peculiar people of God. He wants us to be in heaven. He wants us to be pure in spirit. Here are three important reasons why God is a modest God and heaven is a place of modest people.
GOD LOVES MODESTY
Let's ponder the creation of the man from the book of Genesis. God created man in His own image (Gen.1:27). Adam and Eve were both naked and were not ashamed because they were clothed God's glory (Gen. 2:25). When they transgressed the Law, they knew that they were naked, and God made coats of skins and clothed them (Gen. 3:21).
JESUS CHRIST LOVES MODESTY
One of the great ministries of Jesus was in Galilee where many people followed and thronged Him. There was a woman who suffered for twelve years in bleeding, and heard about Jesus. She went behind the press, but no other chance to talk Jesus because of the huge crowd. She touched Jesus' garment (long garment) and said "if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole" (Mark 5:25-34).
On the day of Jesus' resurrection, the woman named Mary Magdalene came to the sepulchre Sunday morning, together with the other women. They saw a young man (angel) sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment (Mark 16:5).
ANGELS OF GOD LOVE MODESTY
There are seven angels recorded in the book of Revelation having seven plaques filled the wrath of God. They are clothed in pure and white linen (Rev. 15:6).
The glory of God manifested in Jesus Christ and His angels will also reflect to His people. In sixty years of Isaiah's preaching, he spoke with boldness to lift up a standard for the people (Isa. 61:10).
The purpose why God created you is to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7).
The moment we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we became ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). By God's grace, our hearts, our thoughts, our actions are one with Him. We will decide and do things that will please Him (John 8:29). We are warned by Jesus not to love the world and the things which are in the world, for all that is in the world are lust of flesh, the lust of eyes and the pride of life (1 John 1:15-17).
Let this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5)
"As people who are preparing for the soon return of Christ, we shall give to the world an example of modest dress in contrast with the prevailing fashion of the day" (Great Controversy 424.4).
The aim of a Christian life is to answer the high calling of God through Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). God is calling us to take our stand on the side of God's truth. He longs for us to seek His infinite love, and walk worthy as He called us to His kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 1:12).
"As follower of Christ making an exalted profession, to cherish the precious, priceless gem of modesty. This will guard your virtue" (22 AH 334.3).
Dear friend, you may not know me, and I may not know you but I pray that you will be blessed by this message. We may not meet in person, but I pray that someday, when Jesus comes again, we will meet in heaven and you will testify that Jesus used this instrument to help you be in heaven.
As you read this letter, angels of heaven are with you, waiting for your decision to surrender your life to the Source of life. He is giving free gift of salvation. And it is forever free for you, He only needs your commitment to give all your plans, your desire, and everything to Him.
Let Him control and direct your life. He loves you so much, dear friend, and He longs to have you in heaven. He is now calling you, are you willing to answer His call and commit your life to Him? Is it your desire to be in heaven with Jesus? If this your desire my dear friend, please talk to Jesus now in prayer. His arms is open to receive you.
This is my prayer that you will grow faithful in Christ Jesus. Amen
Marilyn Eturma is a sinner saved by God's grace and mercy. She is 28 years old and happily single by God's grace. She currently lives in Makati City Philippines. She serves as Adventist Youth Federation President in Central Metro Manila Philippines. She also works as a volunteer missionary and an assistant director of Forever Free Ministries School of Evangelism Philippines.
A personal note to you from Marilyn: "Please subscribe to our youtube channel "Amazing Prophecies" by Ptr. Mark Fox based in Texas. I believed Jesus is coming very soon and the time for us too short to waste. Please pray for me as I seek God's glory."