I do think that what we look like matters to God.
Saying that outward appearance is vain is the same as saying that a Christian woman can walk down the street in a tube top, mini skirt, and high heels and it won't matter at all to God nor affect her walk with Christ because appearance is vain... right?
No, it is not the same! Scripture proves it. Besides, what you claim is showing no respect for Christian women. They wouldn't dress like that if they are in fact real believers. What your claiming is the same as having no faith because your using fear to say, "Oh no, they might dress wrong".
Your using fear just like those who say a person must be armed to "protect their family". The ONLY arming a person needs is the Holy Ghost within, which is the FULL armour of God. Yet people will say, "But what would you do if somebody were to break into your house and kidnap your spouse, etc". THAT is a lack of faith in God to do what He has promised to do, which is to protect us from evil, which people SHOULD be praying for "without ceasing", you know, the "Lord's Prayer". But then a person must actually believe their prayers are heard. Some just go through the motions, like Catholics, but are caught up in the law and have zero faith.
How a person dresses is "vanity and vexation of spirit". Look it up.
It is man that looks on the outward appearance. God doesn't, He looks on the heart...
"But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." 1 Corinthians 11:16 (KJB)"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJB)It is in fact man who is being vain. Scripture says it. They are trying to live by the law, and force others to be burdened by the law, when we are under grace.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Acts 15:28.29 (KJB)20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Colossians 2:20-23 (KJB)"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4 (KJB)I think its important to refute the Shroud of Turin because:
1) Catholics venerate it as an idol.
2) It paints a blatantly false picture of our Lord and Saviour.
3) If everyone thinks Jesus Christ looks like the face on the Shroud, then if the New Age Sananda shows up in the tribulation period looking JUST LIKE THE GUY ON THE SHROUD, won't that trip up a lot of people?
Again, that's a lack of faith. And no, it's not important. God doesn't care what the wicked do, because He doesn't know them. He already knows they are doing evil.
If you scold Catholics over the Shroud, then you need to scold them on ALL their hypocrisies about idols and graven images. Don't be selective, they got plenty to rebuke!
A false picture? Their whole religion is false!
I expect them to be wrong and focus on the wrong things. That's what evil does, but you being concerned about it shows me your lack faith in God to reveal Himself to whom He chooses.
Do you honestly think God can't make Himself known to a person if that person is truly seeking Him? You actually think some stupid picture is going to derail what a person from the heart seeks? Talk about lacking faith in God! You need to repent! With God, NOTHING is impossible.
The damage that the RCC has done to you runs deeper than you realize. Your still thinking like a faithless Catholic who thinks they must help God do His job, which is to give the gift of the Holy Ghost (which is Jesus Christ in you) once born-again, which will lead all believers to the truth and direct them to what's right.
Why do you think God says the following...
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." 1 Corinthians 10:23 (KJB)5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For ****mongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1 Timothy 1:5-11 (KJB)
