SSS
By Glendol McClure

By "SSS," I do not mean the Selective Service System, the Social Security System, the System Safety Society, the Florida Sunshine State Standards, the School of Social Science, Satellite Syndicated Systems, or the Social Studies of Science. What then, you are probably asking, do you mean? By "SSS," I mean Summer-Season Sins! By using this term, I do not mean to imply that the summertime is the only time or season when people commit such sins. In fact, some commit the sins discussed in this article during the spring, summer, fall, winter, and all year long. But summer is the most prevalent time for families to take extended vacations and enjoy the great outdoors. Christians must be watchful and on guard against the "wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6: 10-18) on a daily basis, and not be overthrown by these sins at any time during the year.

In Hebrews 5:12-14, the Hebrew writer rebuked those to whom he wrote for not having matured spiritually. He said, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." As a result of their spiritual immaturity, they were still in the "baby stage" and could not stomach solid food, or deeper truths, and thus were unable to distinguish between good and evil. Their lack of knowledge, as a result of not growing, was sinful. Today, many brethren suffer from the same spiritual sickness as that about which the inspired writers warned the early church. In 1 Corinthians 11:30, Paul told the Corinthian brethren that many among them were "weak and sickly... and many sleep." Sadly, the reason many are overthrown by the Summer-Season Sins discussed in this article is spiritual sickness and immaturity resulting from not taking in nourishment from God's word.

Immodesty

The first SSS is the sin of immodesty. Since the summer weather is the hottest of the year, many suffer from the spiritual fever and sickness of immodesty. I am embarrassed by what some brethren, who claim to be Christians, wear (or do not wear) in public, and even to worship services. Some argue that the Lord does not look on the outward appearance, and they even cite such passages as 1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Corinthians 10:7; James 2:1-6; and Matthew 7:1. Those who use these passages in failed attempts to justify immodest, sloppy, or inappropriate attire pervert and misapply their contexts.

The Bible clearly condemns immodesty, and there is no valid way to get around this condemnation and justify such attire. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, Paul instructed women to adorn themselves modestly. Said Paul, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

This applies to men as well; for when Paul wrote to Titus, he commanded the older men to teach the younger men, "...to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." (Titus 2:6-8)

After Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, "the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." By reading further in this chapter, we know that the "aprons," or loin clothes, they made did not fully cover their nakedness, because "the LORD God made coats of skins, and clothed them." (Genesis 3:21) The word rendered "coats," is from the Hebrew word kethoneth, meaning, a shirt, coat, garment, or robe that covers.

In Genesis 9:20-23, Noah "drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness." These passages from the book of Genesis show that, from the beginning, God defined nakedness and said it was to be covered.

Further, in Exodus 28, God gave Moses the pattern for the priests' garments. In verses 41-43, the text says, "And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: and they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him." These Bible texts define exposure of the flesh, from the knees up, as nakedness.

So, how is it that many dress immodestly during the summer? Many wear shorts that expose their thighs, especially while sitting with crossed legs; short shorts; swimming attire, such as bikinis; and other attire that displays their nakedness. Some bikinis do not contain enough material to cover a baby's bottom! Wearing such attire is a clear violation of the text in 1 Timothy 2:9. To be modestly adorned, one must wear "modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety," regardless whether he/she is swimming, camping, hiking, or participating in a sporting event.

In 1 Peter 3:3, 4, Peter wrote, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." The definitions of several words used in these texts are worthy of consideration. Strong's Greek Dictionary gives these definitions:

  1. Modest-orderly, i.e., decorous: of good behavior, modest.

  2. Shamefacedness - through the idea of downcast eyes; bashfulness, i.e., (toward men), modesty or (toward God) awe: reverence, shamefacedness.

  3. Sobriety - soundness of mind, i.e., (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self-control: soberness, sobriety.

When a person wears attire that exposes the body's flesh from below the neckline to the thighs, that person is anything but modestly dressed, with shamefacedness or sobriety!

Christians are a "royal priesthood." The apostle Peter wrote, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Therefore, Christians should show forth praise to God in our manner of life, especially in our attire.

Wearing immodest attire indicates that the one who does so, is "conformed to this world." The apostle Paul commanded, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2) Christians are to show "all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." (Titus 2:10) Christians ought not to be "adorned" in immodest attire, but to be "clothed with humility." (1 Peter 5:5)

Fellowshipping Brethren Who Are in Error

The second SSS that many are involved in is the sin of fellowshipping brethren who are in error. We commit this sin when, while visiting family or friends, we attend a congregation that teaches error, condones error, or supports preachers who preach error. Some conclude that any congregation, as long as it has a sign that reads, "Church of Christ," is ok. Or if a congregation is listed in a directory of conservative churches, then we need ask no questions.

Yet, when it comes to the congregation(s) they visit while they're on vacation, they do not investigate what that congregation believes or teaches. Why is this attitude so prevalent? The reason is that some are not seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

The apostle John wrote in 2 John 9-11, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:11, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." "Having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness" means joining in and partaking of the error that is taught or upheld. Since all error is darkness, we should not fellowship congregations that teach or support error.

Brethren who, during the planning stages of their vacations, do not take the time to investigate the congregations in the areas they are planning to visit, with the same eagerness they expend on their travel arrangements, hotel reservations, and other trip details are not seeking "first the kingdom of God." Deciding where you are going to worship, and gathering details about the congregation with which you plan to worship, should occupy top priority in your vacation planning. Remember, Christians must "seek...first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." I think the latter part of this passage--"and His righteousness,"-- is often overlooked, if not completely ignored. I am not convinced that one who gives no thought to, and asks no questions regarding, what a congregation believes, teaches, or practices, is seeking "His righteousness." Rather, convenience has become the rule and standard!

Not Laying by in Store

The third Summer-Season Sin is lack of, or slackness in, laying by in store on the first day of the week. After all, some spend exorbitant amounts of money on their vacations. And some even have the mistaken idea that when they are away, they are not obligated to give; after all, they are on vacation.

Dear readers, the text of 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 puts this foolish notion in the quibbles graveyard! In this text, Paul commanded, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." Paul gave the why, the who, the when, and the where.

Malachi charged those of his day with robbing God. He wrote, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, 'Wherein have we robbed thee?' In tithes and offerings." (Malachi 3:8)

When Christians fail to give as they should, or do not give at all, they disobey the clear command to give as they have been prospered. Think about it; they prospered enough to take a vacation. Right? To "lay by in store" means to store up and have ready for giving on the first day of the week. Apparently, some do not "lay by in store" the portion they are to give, because they are on vacation and feel relieved of their obligation to give.

Further, every Christian has an obligation to give at the congregation of which he is a member. Acts 9:26-28 shows that the apostle Paul understood this principle: "And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem."

Every congregation has financial obligations to meet. When members, because they are on vacation, do not lay by in store and give as they have been prospered, every first day of the week, it sometimes places undue financial strain on the congregation.

Abusing the Lord's Supper

The fourth SSS is abuse of the Lord's Supper. I have known of some brethren who think it's appropriate to take the elements of the Lord's Supper with them on vacation and partake of it at the camp ground, or in the hotel room. Not so! There must be a "coming together" with the saints, in a particular location. If the purpose of coming together was for a vacation, then that is the wrong purpose. The Corinthians came together (1 Corinthians 11:17, 18,20,33; 14:23,26). Their purpose for coming together was supposed to be Scriptural worship, according to apostolic instruction. In fact, Paul tarried seven days in Troas so he could assemble with the saints on the "first day of the week" to "break bread." (Acts 20:7) If you have the false idea that you can take the elements of the Lord's Supper with you on vacation, you are not "rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

Further, some brethren have the idea that if they are not present at the Lord's Day morning service, then as long as they make to the Lord's Day evening service and partake of the Lord's supper (a pinch of bread and a sip of juice), then everything is fine. But, if they were not present at the morning service because they forsook the assembly, they violated the Hebrew writer's command (Hebrews 10:25); thus, they abused the Lord's Supper. To be somewhat blunt and to the point, I submit to you that they got nothing more than a cold supper!

Forsaking the Assembling of the Saints

Finally, the most prevalent SSS is forsaking the assembling of the saints! The Hebrew writer wrote, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25) Considering what the writer said in verses 22-39 of the chapter, forsaking the assembling is a serious matter. Brethren who do so:

Need I say more? No. When Christians forsake any assembly, even one assembly, they are deserters who are absent without leave, or using the military acronym-AWOL! Willfully forsaking any assembly for pleasure, or for lack of caring, is a serious sin that we should confess, and of which we should repent!

In this article we have looked at the following Summer-Season Sins:

Yes, summer vacations and recreational outings can be very enjoyable; but on the other hand, they bring danger to the souls of brethren who engage in Summer-Season Sins. Brethren, if this article incenses you, I make no apology. If it causes you to think, I have done my job. If you are guilty of these sins and repent, I thank the Lord. If you continue in them, you are without excuse. If you are planning your next vacation, "Therefore watch, and remember, that... I ceased not to warn every one... with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." (Acts 20:31, 32)

I want to thank brother McClure for reminding all of us that going on vacation should not mean going on vacation from the Lord and our commitment to Him. Remember-God is watching. (KMG)


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