Christianity and tattoos

Image : http://www.flickr.com

A man, a tattoo shop located in the center of the city, in conjunction with me. More on him in an instant.

After reading his response I could not get the issue of tattoos and piercings in my head. I remembered a British minister - a man in his 50s, at the moment - the witness that the Lord had him pierce his ear for the type of loan, which the Ministers of Paul. A servant would pierce his ear his master as a sign that would serveforever. If obeyed, this minister, argued that there were many young people who attend its meetings in a row.

After a class I taught, one group mentioned to me that her son, Christian showed up at a construction site, where he met a man heavily tattooed. The Christian has struck a conversation with the tattooed man, who noted that he was surprised that he said to him, as almost anyone every done. He believed that this was because of all his tattoos, which the Christianthe street to serve.

I was reminded of a Christian biker sermon from the pulpit, the Popeye arms covered with tattoos, as he had promised, and how young people crowded around him talk about it later.

Man looks outward. God sees the heart.

Getting a tattoo is all the rage these days, many Christians and trying to decide if they want a tattoo or unavailable. To Tattoo or not tattoo? This is the problem.

What does the Bible say? Many ChristiansQuote Leviticus 19:28 to support their claim that Christians get a tattoo: "There will be cuts in flesh for the dead, nor print any marks on you, you, I am the Lord." - Leviticus 19:28. You may believe that Jesus is God and that He came into the world for grace and love and still accept this verse, as for us, to save today? It seems harsh, but true. Why? The answer is simple. Christ has given us a new law, a law that replaced the Old Testament like thisin Lev.

E 'curious that supporters ignore this verse consider some other verses in that book, chapter 19 verse 9 There is saying: "If the harvest of your land, do not miss extend to the edges of the field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. " Verse 19 reads: "Do not plant your field with two kinds of seeds. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." Verse 26: "Do not eat meat with blood still in him." Verse 27: "Not the hair onThe sides of the head or clip the edges of the beard. "Verse 28: cut is not" your bodies for the dead or put tattoo on you. I am the Lord. "

As you can see, are designed many of the other rules of Leviticus is not followed today. This does not mean that the entire book of Genesis, or even the Bible itself, are not followed. It simply means that we consider carefully what is to analyze the theme of the Bible and understand what it means for us today.

The book of Leviticuslegislation includes the children of Israel to maintain healthy and holy God Tattoos are extremely dangerous and can lead to injury, illness or death. The verse also refers to a pagan ritual to perform tattoos on themselves for the dead to protect themselves from the spiritual world and the wrath of other gods.

Many Christians do not fully understand the saving grace that was given to us by the humanity and the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are under a new FederalHis sacrifice is where our sins, even in a different way than the old Levitical, which is seen in Hebrews says, "But the ministry Jesus has received, as they consider how the federal government to him as a mediator is superior the old, and is founded on better promises. Indeed, if there was something wrong with the first covenant, no place would be required for another "Hebrews 8:6-7.

Now we do not give us license to sin (we do not need onehowever, because we all sin, that is) what we do. We are still responsible for our behavior and its impact on our spiritual life and the lives of others. For example, the Epistle to the Romans says: "Do not destroy God's work, for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it takes a man to eat anything that someone stumbles badly. It 'best not to drink wine or meat or anything else that your brother will not fall to eat. "Romans 14:20-21.

From this we cansee that it is important to think carefully all the consequences that can have more than a tattoo on himself, on our relationship and its future. For some, it may mean that more and a tattoo is its ability to increase other witnesses, while in other communities, with a tattoo could significantly reduce this ability.

A Christian should get a tattoo?

The result is that it may not be the answer to the question "Should Christians get a tattoo?" Each of us can evenAnswer to this question, think for us after having taken the time to pray and on them. But we are careful not to those who sell or display tattoos, or make the blanket statement that not being a Christian, because they have a tattoo, be avoided. To do so would "destroy the work of God" instead of taking time to reach the lost. The burden of proof lies with Christians who vote get a tattoo, too. To know their critics that their faith is based on more than just tattoos to prove italso supported by good works. And we must pray as often as possible that the disagreement as trivial matters (such as Body Art), are set aside for the most pressing problems: inequality, hunger, the unity of Christians and spreading the Good News .

Here are some verses that show at least a recognition of religious inscriptions:

"And you want a sign on your hand and as a memorial between thine eyes, that is the law of the Lord can put in your mouth." -Exodus 13:9

"E 'inas a sign on your hand or marks one of your eyes, a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt. "Exodus 13:16

In these two quotes from Exodus, God tells his people that many - especially the heathen - the use of tattoos and totems of religion, the Jews, has slightly larger: a celebration of the day were rescued and taken out of 'Egypt to give. For Jews, this is their unique brand. This seems to contradict our position. However, the verses show that tattoosa normal part of society. God is not telling people that tattooing is wrong or immoral. He did not even say that they must stop doing so. Says only that set them apart from all others on their side.

"They will say:" I am the Lord, "another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another write by hand,
"The Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel." Isaiah 44:5

Behold, I have engraved you palmsMy hands, your walls are continually before me. "Isaiah 49:16
Here Isaiah speaks the word of God, more aware of the minorities in Israel who are interested during their exile, as always lost in the midst of pagan Babylon. Through Isaiah, God reminds his people that he would never forget them, because he loves her, and as proof that he never let them down, "he told the Jews that he dug [permanent written carved ...] on their hands to save a memory.

"AndLord said 'Go for the city, to Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed to it. " "Ezekiel 9:4

The mark in this verse refers to the letter "T" or removed the Hebrew letter "Tau" is displayed as the shape of a cross and the blood of the lamb on the doorpost was the "remnant" of Israel be saved, if God wiped away all the first born in Egypt during the last plague. In this case, the markare the faithful who are sad places from the sins committed in Jerusalem.

"From now on, the man will give me trouble, because I am my body bear the characteristics of Jesus." Galatians 6:17

Here Paul is probably the beatings and punishments he endured for the sake of the Gospel of Christ to discuss (cf. 2 Cor. 11:24-28). This is a blow aimed towards those who believe are justified by other brands, is circumcision. Undeniable, however, the tattoo images. Brands are whatDisplay Roman slave tattooed on their serfs on the estate.

"And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and cried with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying: Thou shalt not harm the earth and the sea or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads. "Revelation 7:2-3

"On his robe and thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord ofColleagues. "Revelation 19:16

This verse is the latest revelation from the prophecy of John about the destruction of the Roman Empire until then-invincible Roman army. The verse shows Christ as the "Master of the Universe", whose name, which is the Word of God (and, essentially, everything), is more than just a title on a regal. Rather, it is something that belongs to Jesus alone, and are inextricably linked to it is connected, the master of everything ... a unique marking onBody.

Again, I stress that these verses do not prove that God tattoos, but true that tattoos are an acceptable part of society during the biblical times and there is evidence indicating that the body art God expressly disclaims such.

Using the vehicles of evangelization

Finally, it is important that Christians understand that Jesus does not want to hide our faith or keep our faith in himself. The contrary. He commands us to do everything in our power to dolet our brothers and sisters know the word of truth, Jesus Christ.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." Matthew 28:19

"What I tell you in darkness, proclaiming the absolute light, and what you whisper in my ear, on the roofs." Matthew 10:27
) In fact, even if we wanted to keep it to ourselves (for selfish reasons or for fear of persecution, once the Spirit moves us, we can no longer remain silent;
"No one after lighting a lamp puts them in a cellar or under aBushel, but on a level that indicates that those who see the light. "Luke 11:33

Choose well, let us make e-mail or tattoos, God through the Holy Spirit, we can discover the different ways and dynamic that others can know about it. One thing is certain: as Christians, we must proclaim our beliefs in full, every day of our lives.

There is no doubt that tattoos are not sinners, and that Christians express their faith with some ink under the skin not succumbList of Satan (at least) due to tattooing. But we must remember that just because they can not be tattooed, does not mean that this is what is best for everyone. Paul tells us that we must be careful that our actions do not lead others to faith:

"Not for the sake of food, destroy the work of God Everything is clean, but for each other to do what they eat fallen wrong, it's true, no meat or drink wine or not to eat what themakes your brother stumble. "Romans 14:20-21

In this spirit, we pray that can be understood through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, each of us what God intended for us, and if not that the call includes some indelible ink under the skin.

There you have it. The question of a behavior can only be resolved between the individual and his god.

THE REST OF THE STORY ...

Among other things, has assisted the owner of the tattoo shop to me that, after his wifeleft him, he tried desperately to find God a beautiful day, the couple reconciled. Within hours, he had a terrible roll-over, which in their vehicle until the wheel flat. Miraculously, he walked away without a scratch. Since then, both groups of parents, siblings and other relatives, as he chose to follow Jesus, some have been baptized, and is now looking for training for ministry. He writes: "I want to preach, I fought for about 20 years. Real men love Jesusstand up and boldly proclaim the love and grace of God, and good news! So I am the first to say GOD "really answer prayer! Regarding your question, where are all the Christians in bold? Here I am ..... I want to preach!"

Friends, be it a tattoo shop, a bar or a library for adults, God sent his only Son for those who die as frequently or work in these places. He's Just Not big enough to be driven by what is happening in a certain place! He can be trusted and helove of the owners of such establishments enough to do what saves.

We have the compassion to pray for their salvation toxic - or want to curse, as we then move on to pray for the fall?