hmmhmm said
I think there's a big difference between a Christian whose tattoos pre-date his conversion to Christ, and a professing Christian getting a tattoo. I can't see any scriptural reason to support it.
The cutting of the body is often part of initiation rituals in pagan cultures. One of the most cojent comments I heard from a Christian against this, and the use of henna for painting on the body (hands, feet), is that these activities mean something to Satan. They also are an abuse of our time, and in no way glorify God.
I thought Joe's point about the body being the temple of the Holy Ghost is something Christians need to take far more seriously.
Perhaps the doctrine that our bodies are rotten because of sin and virtually useless to God, insinuates that 'the temple of the Holy Spirit' is a purely spiritual fact. I would contend that our bodies themselves are being quickened (Romans 8:11), if we are walking in the Spirit, and that new birth stops the rot. EMPHATICALLY new birth stops the rot. Otherwise, what is salvation about, if it is not about ceasing from and being delivered from sin NOW?
If our bodies are capable of ceasing from sin and starting to WALK and LIVE in RIGHTEOUSNESS, then they are a substantial part of our testimony to God that we accept the changes He wants to make in us, right down to working it out through our flesh. Isn't this what James is on about when he says
James 2:18
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and [b]I will shew thee my faith [u]by[/u] my works[/b].
Earlier in the week, I was musing on the truth in Ephesians 2
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, [b]which God hath before ordained[/b] that we should walk in them.
It came to me in light of them, that walking in good works is qualified by what God has ordained. We can't just think up good - even very worthwhile - activities, and expect God to bless us in them (though He may do because of His grace); we have to find out [i][b]from Him[/i][/b] what He has ordained for our lives, and go do that with all our heart, trusting Him to enable us to please Him.
Or, we are in danger of being amongst those in Matt 7 (KJV)
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever [b]heareth[/b] these sayings of mine, [b]and doeth them[/b], I will liken him unto [b]a wise man, which built his house upon [u]a rock[/u][/b]:
