Shameful?
In an attempt to remove “gender bias” from its city ordinances the city of Fort Collins, Colorado recently entertained a proposal to remove the cities ban (and fine) for women going without a top. Although the measure was thankfully defeated, the debate raised some interesting debate. And lest you think this debate is limited to a liberal college town, think again, as this is a growing national debate. In the exchange of ideas before the city council, Ray Martinez, a city councilman asserted: “It just doesn’t seem right to allow women to go topless.”
Says who?
Says God!
First, I would draw your attention to Paul’s words to the Romans: “for when the gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do things in the law, these although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts…” (2:14-15). By his statement, Ray revealed the work of ‘natural law’ written on his heart by God as part of the fact that we are created in the image of God. Even most unsaved men and women feel shame at the thought of being naked in public. Why? In addition, although our culture has rejected the authority of God’s Word, it is nevertheless difficult to live in a society where law and cultural standards have no basis outside of ‘what seems to be right’. When there is no objective standard of right and wrong, morality becomes an ever moving line.
Secondly, this debate illustrates well Paul’s words to the Romans in chapter 1 when he says: ‘even the women exchanged the natural (in born intuition) use for what is against nature.’ As we study II Timothy 3 this morning we are reminded that the Last days will be characterized by increasing lawlessness, selfishness and unnatural affection. In this culture of decay God desires His people to model his guidelines. Clothing was given to man as a result of the fall into sin. Modesty is not an outgrowth of social evolution; it is a safeguard in a sinful world against debauchery. God has called His children to be a light in a very dark world- ‘approve the things that are excellent.’ (Phil. 1:10)
Because of grace,
Tim
