1 Timothy 2:1-10
(Use the link below to read the verses.)
What would it take to make your head turn at church? Would it be someone walking into church wearing a University of Michigan shirt? Or maybe a stripper from the gentlemen’s club down the street? Or would it be someone who is a known criminal? What would it take?
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. NIV
There you have it! When you go to church this week, the men should quit shouting at each other during prayers, and the women should not dress like the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders anymore! I don’t know about you, but neither of those scenarios happen at my church.
Something else would seem to be motivating Paul’s instructions about worship. Perhaps something in the culture of the day. However, because verse 8 starts with “therefore”, we only need to look at the previous verses.
5 For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. NLT
Therefore, when we come together to worship the Living God, He is the focus, not us. It doesn’t matter what team someone cheers for; what a person has done in their past or even the present. Nobody can out sin God’s love, grace and forgiveness. And when you worship, it should be evident in how we treat others.
So ask yourself again: What would it take for you to bring God’s message to your world? To show God’s unconditional love, grace and forgiveness to your family, your boss, your neighbor, or the guy who cut you off on the highway? What would it take for you to worship God with holy hands?
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