Jump Start # 3507

1 Corinthians 11:14 “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him.”

Our verse today is a tough one. It’s found in a series of tough passages. The covering. Length of hair. A lot of discussion, debates, and pages upon pages have been written about these verses. Growing up in the ‘60s, the hippie movement, the British invasion and the rise of rock ‘n roll, led many preachers to the pulpit with this passage in mind. I remember my dad telling me as he left for work one day to get a haircut. When he came home that evening, he said, “Why didn’t you get your haircut?” I told him, “I did.” He immediately said, “Go get another one.”

Our thoughts are not about hair but just what does nature teach us. Paul uses nature as one of his arguments about hair. “Even nature teaches you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor.” The use of nature is interesting. This is not the first and only time this is done.

In condemning the sexual practice of homosexuality, the Romans were told: “…God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural.” And, in the following verse, “and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman…” Natural, or nature.

Even earlier in Romans one, the apostle wrote, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (1:20). Nature points to God. Throughout the Psalms, nature is included in praise and adoration to God. The sun, moon, stars give honor to the Lord.

In nature, a male lion has a long mane and a female lion doesn’t. Wouldn’t this turn what Paul said upside down? The images of many of the male Greek gods had long hair. The Spartan warriors were known for their long hair. However, in Corinth, it was known for women to have long hair and men short hair.

So, what are we to learn from nature?

First, nature sets forth some guidelines that are obvious. The question that always comes from this passage is, “How long is long and how short is short?” Nature doesn’t answer that question. A man’s hair doesn’t automatically stop growing once it has reached the “long” length. A man’s hair and a woman’s hair will continue to grow until it is cut. I’ve seen men whose hair was down to their waist. That’s not the point Paul is making. In nature, males are males and females are females.

The use of nature is to tell us that certain things are obvious. Looking out my window, I see cardinals at the bird feeder. The male is bright red. The female is brownish red. There is an obvious difference. Nature shows that. Male and female—you can tell them apart.

The point in Corinth and the point missing in our culture is that men are to be men and women are to be women. Don’t cross those lines. Don’t confuse the two. Women had long hair. Men had short hair.

Second, we must be careful in allowing our understanding of “nature” to become God’s law. God doesn’t use our intuition, feelings, ideas to become His will. God reveals. God is specific. God says. God uses words that can be defined, understood and taught. Without understanding this, it’s a small step from what I see in nature, to what I “believe” is right, or what I “feel” is right. How many times have we heard someone declare, “I think God wants me to be happy,” or, “I just know God likes this?” How do they know that? It’s all based upon what they want and how they feel, not what is revealed in Scriptures.

Remember, all Scriptures are inspired of God and profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). All Scripture, not nature. Not what I think. Not what I want. It is Scripture that sets forth doctrine.

The troubles in Corinth came from newly converted women liberated in Christ, now setting aside head coverings. It is important to note that Paul doesn’t really describe what the covering looked like. Was it a little lace on top of the head? Was it a long veil? Was it covering even the face, like orthodox Muslims wear? We are not told. It seems that they understood what the apostle was talking about. He wasn’t introducing a new concept. He was telling them to continue doing what they had been wearing, even though you are now a Christian. Women are women and men are men. Nature teaches that. God teaches that.

For some, anything longer than the ole’ crewcut for a male is too long. And, for them, it will be a crewcut. But, be careful in insisting that all men must have crewcuts because nature teaches that. Truth is, nature doesn’t teach how long long is. Long hair is a dishonor for men. Why? It makes them look like a woman.

My friend Kenny Chumbley wrote, “God’s work—nature –teaches it’s a shame for anyone to think men are women and/or women are men. And to this, God’s word says, ’Amen.’”

Roger

Jump Start # 3505

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

In a series of classes that I am teaching on Expectations, I listed a dozen things that often shake the faith of a new Christian. Expectations and reality are often not the same. I called these, “What I wish someone told me.”

Among the dozen things I listed was, “Some brethren disappoint you.” Sometimes what you see out in the stores and at the ballgames is not the same character as you see in the church building. It can be so bad that I have had some declare, “Don’t ever do business with brethren!” On the surface, that’s very shocking. You’d think no one will treat me more fairly than a fellow disciple. You’d rather give your money to a brother, knowing that he won’t be out buying drugs or booze. But often it’s not that way. The brother does buy booze. Sometimes they expect you to give them a pass on paying or at least to greatly reduce the price. The difficulties dealing with one another in business has made some to conclude, “I won’t do business with brethren.” How sad that is.

Here are some lessons:

First, we must remember that we are all on a journey with the Lord. Some are doing really well. Some are struggling. Some are barely started. So, in theory, we’d expect everyone to be above board, honest and filled with integrity. That’s the theory. The truth is, it’s not that way. Some need to learn. Some are tempted and that area is their weakness. Some need to grow stronger.

Remember, none of us are perfect, including YOU.

Be careful of casting everyone in the same boat. While you may have had a bad experience with one, does not mean everyone is that way. I have personally seen it both ways. I have had some who weren’t honest with me and they hurt me financially. I’ve had others who were great and very, very helpful.

Some have had a bad experience with a congregation. Maybe you visited and it was very judgmental. Maybe the culture is very cold and unfriendly. Now, it’s easy to think every church is like that, but they are not. It’s like going out to eat. If I go some place and the food is bad, it’s overpriced and the service stinks, I may not go back to that specific place, but I still go out to eat. The bad experiences you have had comes from those who need to walk closer to our Lord. Don’t give up on everyone else.

As our verse today reminds us, we all need to be steadfast. We all need to be immovable. We all need to abound in the work of the Lord. We all do. But, there are times when some don’t. That’s discouraging. Some sell out their convictions for more money. Some walk with one foot still in the world. And, when that happens, we disappoint each other. We need to be thinking of others. What you do is more than just your business. It becomes the business of others because we are tide together. We are joined by Christ. We are a family of God. And, just like home, if one in the family becomes selfish, stubborn or indifferent, it will hurt everyone else in that family.

Second, sometimes it’s the leaders that disappoint us. Preachers let us down. Shepherds don’t do their jobs. We can feel neglected, abandoned and left wondering what do they do with all their time. Understand, first of all, they are not mind readers, nor do they have a big red phone sitting on their desk that rings into Heaven. They may not be aware of your situation. I knew a lady who was in and out of the hospital and she never told anyone and then she got upset because no one came to visit her in the hospital. Hard to do if you are not aware of it.

But, there are times when leaders do let us down. They have lives, jobs and sometimes things fall through the cracks. Be patient with them. Help them. Don’t throw them off the boat and then start a mutiny. Leaders must grow. Leaders are not perfect.

Then there are the occasions when some make a major moral sin in their lives. How they handle that says a lot about their character. Most times, they need to step away from leading and get their heart right with the Lord. Repentance, prayers and deeper faith is what is called for. Years of good preaching can be washed away from the ill choices that the preacher makes. Wesley said, Some preachers are so good that they should never step away from the pulpit. And, some, once they step away should never get back in because of the way they live. Leaders can disappoint us.

Third, we must remember that our faith is in the Lord, not our brethren. Our brethren help us. They encourage us. We need them to worship together. They are a big part of our lives, but it is Jesus who saves us. Brethren may and do disappoint, but Jesus won’t. Jesus won’t let you down. Jesus won’t give up on you.

When our faith runs through the church, then whatever happens down at the church determines our faith. If things are good, then our faith is good. If things are bad, so also will be our faith. So many these days want everything run through the church. Have you noticed that the majority of the N.T., though letters written to congregations, are about our individual walk with the Lord. My faith is independent of what is going on down at the church house. Brethren may be fighting, splitting and arguing about everything and anything, but my faith is tied directly to Jesus. While those things make me sad, it won’t stop or hinder my walk with the Lord.

Yes, brethren disappoint. When you first realize this, it sets you back a little bit. But then you see that there are a bunch of brethren who do not disappoint. Do all you can so that you will encourage and not disappoint others. How you conduct yourself outside the church building matters. People notice. Impressions are drawn. Don’t let that light flicker and don’t let it go out.

Roger