This morning (on the Morning Show) on Air1 radio, they were talking about tattoos, and whether or not Christians should have them, and what is acceptable...
Christianity is not a system of rules; Do's and Don'ts -- so much as it is a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, which is lived out in every thought, decision, and action. We should be careful to not cause our brother to stumble, but the Bible, (God's Word) informs us that there are things that each of us must decide for ourselves whether or not they are acceptable. We should not let others have undue influence on what we believe (as long as it is not opposed to the Laws of God).
So, we see people making statements every day by putting bumper stickers on vehicles, or tattoos on their skin. The difference, I believe is that we should be VERY CAREFUL as to what we decide to put in the form of a tattoo, due to it's permanence, whereas, bumper stickers can always be removed simply with a little solvent, and elbow grease.
As Paul wrote in Romans 14:13-18 13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. 14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
I know some wonderful Christian people who have tattoos, and some who have bumper stickers... I personally have stickers and magnets on my truck, but no tattoos, but it does not offend me, when others choose to have them. The key question is, do either the tats, or stickers make a positive statement, or cause people to draw nearer to God, or their fellow man, or do they have the opposite effects??
These last questions are the basic premise of our responsibility in Christianity in all that we think, say or do... What effect does what we do, have on our relationships with God, and others?
