Come On Out

    Long hair and long dresses for women and short hair and long sleeved shirts buttoned to the neck for men do not salvation make. No one holds this opinion with greater fervency than the children of old time Pentecostal parents. These youngsters turned grandparents are quick to remind people that according to the old hymn one may come to Christ, "Just as I am."

    The Bible agrees with their assessment of the situation. The scripture says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved' and "he that cometh to me (Jesus) I will in no wise cast out." There are no prerequisites for coming to Christ. Anyone may come at anytime, in any state of dress, and in whatsoever posture suits the moment. If his plea for salvation is sincere, he will be saved. Generally speaking, however, that is not the whole story of salvation.

    The new birth is only the beginning; the starting point of a new life. Throughout its course this new life is to be lived in loving obedience to Christ. The key word here is "lived." The chick cannot remain in its shell nor can the babe stay in the womb. They must enter into the real world and live. No where in the gospel is a Christian allowed to remain static forever.

    The New Testament is equally clear that the new life is the Christ life. It is a life of promoting reconciliation between men and God. It is also a life of ministering to the needs of others while holding oneself apart and distinct from the world. Jesus ate with sinners and visited in their homes. He did not adopt their ways or commend their behavior to others. He never became one of the crowd.

    Whatever one may think of the old time Pentecostals, they were without a doubt set apart and distinct from the world. Even the uninitiated could pick them out. But, here's something to consider. Those I knew didn't dress as they did in order to be saved. They dressed that way because they were saved. They made a statement about their relationship to the world.

    Conformity is the club the world uses to beat down the opposition. The world, not Christianity, is the proponent of "correct" thinking; "perfect" body image; and "proper" diet. The world criticizes Christianity because there are so many churches. But, diversity produces many branches from the same tree. Christianity calls for individual transformation; the world demands conformity.

    "Wherefore, come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." Dare to be different.