Expert: Carl Fuglein - 5/18/2006

Question
Hi,
I am a 20 year old Indian gal. I am a catholic by birth. When I was 16 I got converted to Pentecost along with my family. Although it was not a very whole hearted decision but every body convinced me to get myself baptized and get converted. I don't know about other countries but here in India we have IPC division in Pentecost in which I got converted wherein its a rule not to wear ornaments of any sort, no make up at all and lead a very simple life with no western dresses etc. I have been brought up in an atmosphere where I was free to dress up according to my wishes but suddenly this change, it was difficult for me to accept this. I wanted purity of heart, inward beauty that is, but not in our outward appearance. I cud not be what my church wanted me to be like from my outward appearance so I had to face many problems in my church just coz I was not willing to be very simple. So where ever I used to go connected to my church, elders used to guide me from the bible and used to say it's not right to wear ornaments and wear make up. Jesus would be angry on me coz of this. I am a firm believer of Christ and god fearing also. I trust in him but when I hear such things I feel scared whether he would punish me for wearing make up. Now what I want to ask u is "am I actually wrong”. This is really troubling me. Plz give me the right advice.
Really thankful to u.


Answer
Diya-

Thanks for writing and trusting me to give you some advice.
I believe that at the age of 20, you are old enough to make decisions for yourself, especially when it comes to such things as dress and make-up.  A possible exclusion to this is if you are still living in your parents' house, then you should respect their wishes until you turn 21.

Now, let me ask you this - There are well over 200 million Christians that live in the US.  Virtually all the women were "western dresses" and a vast majority wear makeup.  Are all of them wrong?  Logically, you know the answer:  "No, of course not."  Every religion has at least some "rules and regulations", but if you study the New Testatment thoroughly, you will see that Jesus broke those rules frequently.  The Pharisees were big on rules, and short on grace and compassion.

The bottom line is simple - Jesus loves YOU.  He doesn't care what you wear in terms of dress, make-up, or ornament, as long as it is respectful and not "sexy" or "seductive".  Wearing a western dress is not a sin.  Wearing makeup is not a sin. Wearing earrings is not a sin.  Jesus loves you unconditionally without regard to your dress or yourmakeup, or even your religion, for that matter.

As long as you are a member of a Pentecostal church, you will be criticized.  I suggest tht you find a more liberal church, and dress like you want.  Jesus is still gonna love you!

hugs,
carl