Living As a Woman For Christ

In These Last Days, Living as a Woman for Christ...

I Thessalonians 2:12  "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."
Revelations 3:4  "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy."

What does it mean to walk worthy of the Lord God?  As His people, chosen to be His representatives to the world, our walk encompasses all areas of lifestyle (outward) and the heart (inward).  Both are intertwined for the true servants of Jesus Christ.  The outward things must be accompanied by inner purity; lest we be what Jesus called whitewashed tombs (sinful within but a show of outward excellence). Likewise, those who have inner purity ought to please the Spirit by adapting the outward things to accommodate righteousness; lest they be hearers only and not `doers´ of the Word (James 1:22).  Alas we know that God sees the heart, and indeed true inner purity is exemplified in outward holiness, where our fruit is manifest to the world.  And since `holiness´ means separated from the world and unto God, oh that we women would aspire to please our King, reflecting His beauty in every area of our lives, rather than parade our own.

There seem to be two definitions of Jesus running the Church today: one in who´s liberty allows us whatever our human nature may desire, looking at us through rose-colored glasses; and the Other One who is called Holy and True, whose liberty has set us free from slavery to sin and endless ceremonial laws; in Whom is power over temptation. His is the Narrow Gate that leads to everlasting life; the former is the broad way that leads to destruction. Ask yourself, "Which do I serve?"

If the Bride of Christ is to properly mirror the holiness of the Lord Jesus according to the written word, as well as show forth that she loves Him first, fears only Him and His Sovereignty, then She must make some definitive changes. If not, many may not stand in the coming storm.  Consider the Narrow Way Jesus spoke of. Do you love Him by acts of obedience, as one who has been forgiven much?  Are you the woman whose heart cries, "All for Jesus," in your quiet time?  If so, listen with your heart and pray about this. If not, then ask Him to show you what stands between the two of you.

Do you suppose the American Church has been influenced by the world? What do you know of the last century and how the role of woman changed? It is amazing in how short a period the church has been turned upside-down.

The current-day American Church has yielded to and practices much of the schemes of the devil. The 1960´s ushered in deception for woman, and today she is blind to how far she has fallen from godliness, and succumbed to the world. As a whole, the Church is adhering to cultural norms, seeking wealth and pleasures, joining this world system, applying teachings that cater to self-satisfaction, and has lost her savor of salt often gained thru self-denial and/or suffering.  Few reflect the surrendered life so that the world around us sees very little, if any difference between themselves and proclaiming Christians. Is that what Christ wants? What level of significance, of weight, of value is His pardoning your sins, to you?  Have you thus far been able to form an intimate attachment to the suffering Majesty on the Cross of Calvary?  How blessed it is to portray that our citizenship is in heaven like He said! 

God is calling His 21st century Bride to repentance, humility and obedience. And to come out of the crowd that She may be distinguished apart.  Too many reject the hard passages on how to live, considering God´s commands as legalistic instead of pragmatic obedience out of love for Jesus. Some cannot see as they´ve grown so worldly. Some are cowardly not wanting to suffer the cost.  Or perhaps, vain. Whatever holds you, sensuality is a pleasant bondage to human nature, and the Church has been led to believe there are no boundaries; a warped liberty.  The whole counsel of God that Christ, Paul, John, and Peter all spoke of is sadly omitted.  Today´s form of theology has many who call upon the name of Jesus, yet live a worldly lifestyle, being given a false eternal security, with little recommendation to the commands of our Lord.   

The Church´s appearance to the world ought, and must begin to please the Lord God in all ways, that She may shine as the noon-day sun as the End draws near. Women of the Church must take hold of the divine order given by God, seriously considering how foul it is to commingle with worldly lusts. Each ought to, by submissive prayer, examine common willful choices, asking our Heavenly Father how He sees us, and to repent of all things that offend Him (Matt 13:41).  You may say, "God is concerned with the heart and not with outward things; besides I have no conviction by the Holy Spirit!"  How often does one ask, and how can one hear the still small Voice when all is considered well and right in our eyes? Read what Proverbs says of the wise: Proverbs 5:12; 10:17; 15:10; 27:6.  God has begun this discipline in many, and these are praying on behalf of all. Listed in In this last part of this article are listed worldly pleasures that are in direct opposition to living as His witnesses, and as testimonies before our very children; before the world, and before the eyes of the Lord.

“Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord?… He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” Ps. 24:3-4 “Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me. Then shall I be upright, and innocent of the great transgression.” Ps. 19:13

Here is a list of worldly pleasures common to most of us, that are in direct opposition to living as His witnesses. We must realize that we are daily living testimonies before our children, the world and most of all, the Lord God. The question is: Is our testimony one that will gain full acceptance in the End for having shown to others the transforming power of Jesus Christ? Will it speak of the fruit of the Spirit? Or will we have a shameful testimony with a foul stench as those on the road to destruction?

TV - Televised programs are not without contradiction to biblical values, but promote sin, and deceitful messages that destroy contented hearts that please Jesus. (see Television tract)

Movies - Extremely rare is the film that edifies and is not offensive to the Holy Spirit. Serious business! Typically, the story plots exemplify and glorify sin, numbing discernment.

Books - If it does not promote humility, faithfulness, encourage a servant heart, virtue, etc. avoid it. Excellent sources of books for God's people are: rodandstaffbooks.com, lamplighterpublishing.com. clp.org, and others. Books should exalt godly virtue, not self-improvement, nor self-satisfaction, nor tempt the Believer with sensual thoughts.

Friends - Are we aligning ourselves with those whom we find ourselves compromising? Am I tempted to just let loose to have fun? Do the friends I have thrive on biblical Truth, or are they uncomfortable with `God-talk.'? Are my motives pure or for opportunity? Did you know God hates the friendship of the world? James 4:4

Clothing - Check motives: We do that which is in our hearts. The godly woman is called to decline wearing clothing that is sexy, sensuous, or reveals shapeliness of body parts, or cleavage, to anyone except her spouse. How evil is it when Christian women know what entices men and refuse to obey the Lord? Believing women might also ask GOD about the prayer-covering that was removed in the late 60's. (A mere 50 years out of 2000! Such cunning devices the devil has to lure us.) It is the sign of humility and separateness of a holy woman ordered by God, for her and the angels. Examine the I Corinthians 11 passage, especially verses 5-6 and 16a. (the contentious) Could the short haircuts that took hold beginning in the 70's thru today be the fulfillment of the Spirit's diktat in verse 6?

Jewelry - Again, motives and moderation are a great matter for the true disciple. Who are we exalting? The Lord Jesus commands simplicity and modesty in things pertaining to dress. (Titus 2:5; 1Pet.3:1-4; 1Tim.2:9-15) Does being `discreet' pertain only to speech?

Face - 1st ask, “What is in my heart that I noticeably paint my face?” Looking our best often plays to allure. It masquerades as beauty & brightness, when God desires rather that His light shine from within us from a peaceful, obedient life, in humility. If sexy lips would offend in heaven, may we do it here? We will be accountable for those we stumble, perhaps influencing young girls to be sensual or tempting men, especially of God's household! This is sin. The godly woman isn't frumpish and bland. In fact Proverbs 31 has her wearing lovely fabrics. But she is sure to present herself honorably, as one representing her Holy Father Who `hates' the way of the world. Find a woman who clearly attracts attention to her physical beauty and you will usually find she is willful, obstinate, and challenges her husband's direction.

We are called to offer up our lives as living sacrifices and to deny ourselves. What better ways can Christian women signify to the world that we serve the Living and True God before all things? Let us bless the Lord our God and put a smile on His beautiful face. “We are a chosen generation... that we should show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness, and into His marvelous light.” It may be hard to change; the `churched' will accuse you of legalism in their rejection. But `Blessed are ye when ye are accused falsely on my account…' (Jesus)

Study and Pray: Rom 12:1-2 Mark 4:18,19 Titus 2:11-14 Matt 7:1-5 Matt 7:21-23

- Mrs. Smith serves along-side her husband in publications for the Church and for Evangelistic use. Contact may be made to: publicministries-tract@yahoo.com