Posted by Yong TM (192.169.41.41) on March 04, 2003 at 23:26:57:
In Reply to: First impression. Looks.. posted by Khew Chee Keong on March 03, 2003 at 22:07:45:
There is a famous American painting by the painter Grant Wood. It shows a stern face Christian farmer and his equally stone-faced daughter. The painting supposedly demonstrated American puritan values. Some say it symbolises the boring aspects of Christian living.
I am of the opinion that it is not possible to have a stone face when you are happy and joyous. And scripture tells us to rejoice; that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, peace, joy.... that in everything we should give thanks; that we can do all things in Christ who strengthen us; that all things work for good for all of us who love Him... on and on it goes. How can a Christian really say that he understands the WORD of God and his own destiny if he displays a stone and solemn face all day long? While it is true that by nature, some are jovial, some are pessimistic, and we are not to expect everyone to be the same mould, I simply cannot accept that Christians should project a sad and pathetic image to others. It just does not square with scripture and all it teaches about the new life. I for one, cannot understand why some of my fellow-Elders look as if they are attending a funeral during worship services. Our new nature almost demands that we manifest the joy of our salvation all the time.
As for clothings and 'impressions'; these are relative issues. A certain dress code or behaviour pattern does not necessarily imply one thing or another. I for one, often sit on the floor of a shopping centre while waiting for my family to finish shopping. Sometimes I sit by the MRT door like some young punk (but now that I am more recognisable, I try not to do it too often). If not for the fact that others may stumble, I probably would have a ear ring and maybe a pony tail.
But the stumbling principle is at place here. I would like to do what I wrote because that's who I am... someone who really don't quite care about outward appearances. I mean, I wear trousers that are older than my primary 6 daughter! But if I were to appear on stage looking like some unclean, unshaven guy who just came off the street, I am sure it would distract others from the purpose of my preaching or translation. So I dress up decently. It is the tool principle as you have mentioned.
The tool principle is very important for me. My own opinion really is that a Christian should lead a simple lifestyle; but for the sake of others or his work, he may need to make use of clothings, cars or whatever material things. Not everyone would agree with this position. So perhaps you have asked the wrong person... I have little attachment to material things.
The other thing is to be at peace with yourself. When you can do that, you will be able to look beyond the external, for both yourself and others. Dr Tong pointed out that Christ came to reconcile us with God. Because we are reconciled to God, we can reconcile with ourselves. Because we can reconcile with ourselves, we reconcile with our enemies. Because we can reconcile with our enemies, we can help our enemies reconcile with themselves, and then reconcile our enemies with their enemies, and ultimately, we can help our enemies reconcile with God. All these can only happen when we are reconciled with ourselves, and therefore be at peace, enabling us to look beyond the surface phenomena of people we meet.
Few people can really live a life being true to themselves completely. When Lyndon Johnson was President, the USA was in the throngs of the Vietnam War. Johnson had to fight with the hippies and their peace movement. When Johnson retired back to his range in Texas and was no longer President, he grew his hair long and looked like the hippies he once fought so hard against. The best deal therefore is to be yourself while not making others stumble...