violet

RADICAL FREAK

Good Point Violet

Jeremy

Very good point, Violet. The last line though is simple. Heaven is obtained through Jesus' sacrfice, not because we don't have a tattoo or such. Only one way to Heaven, my friends, and that's through our awesome Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God everyday for Jesus doing this for us. But we still need to be mindful and respect God. We should, as Christians, try our best to live good lives and do what would be pleasing to God.

Banarenth

^^; ... I have six piercings...teehee...

New Life

In the New Testament, tatoo's and body markings are mentioned again, with the idea that no man should mark his body since Jesus' death was the only marking of the body that man should suffer.

That said, I would be very tempted to get a Christian related tatoo. I've always thought a WWJD in italics, in either Book Antiqua, Palatino Linotype, or Perpetua with a crown of thorns hanging off the W would look good, either on the forearm, or the inside of the bicep.

The reason I think this would be cool would be a) It'd be a permenant committment to God. Unlike a band where you can take it off if you feel you might get stick for it, you can never shy away from telling people about God if its permenant. b) People always ask about tatoo's, and what they mean, meaning it'd be a great way to witness, and c) You'd never get bored or, the fad of the tatoo would never run out. It'd also serve as a way to not back slide, as you'd always want to live up to it.

The advantage of having it on the bicep, is that it'd be concealed often, so you wouldn't have troubles when working, and if you had it on the forearm, it could be concealed by a sweatband if the need be.

I would like to get it done, and might design it, but it'd then be a matter of convincing my parents.

New Life

I was actually sad enough to design what I was talking about on paint. Only a rough copy for now, and probably, would never get it done, but what do people generally think?

GsusFrk

I take my position on this from 1 Corinthians 8:9 But you must be careful with this freedom of yours. Do not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble.

I've thought about it, my wife isn't too excited with the idea but wouldn't stop me if I really wanted to. I wonder if it would be a stumbling block to some. At the same time, I saw it as a unique witnessing tool. I was thinking about the tattoo similar to my avatar, placed on my chest over my heart. (A symbol of Jesus being in my heart) with the "Galatians 2:20" somewhere near by. One of my favorite verses that would fit right along with the tattoo idea. The tattoo isn't obvious to everyone of what it is, so they might have to ask me what it was, and someone might ask what Galatians 2:20 was and I would tell them. "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me." And that would be an open door to share what Christ has done for me. This would all me on my Chest so it would be easily concealed.

I've also heard it said that tattoos are a permanent picture of a temporary idea. So I've been thinking about it for about a year, and if I think I still want it after a while, I might get it, but I'm not sure either if I'd do it even after wanting it for a long time.

Shannon

I have two and I have very mixed emotions about them. I got them on my back so they are basically only visible if I choose to show them. My brother and I have matching tats and to me, that means a lot. However, the older I get, the less appeal they have. I'm not sure I would ever have them removed, but I'm not sure I would ever get anymore. I would probably put a lot more thought into the "what?" part of it.

I tend to agree that it's more what's in your heart that matters to Jesus than what's on your body.

meatloaf

I have to agree with GsusFrk. I think if you read Romans 14 it goes more in depth on this subject. This doesn't go specifically into tatoos but more into the freedom we share under grace. If a tatoo causes someone else to stumble or they think it is sin you are probably better off to cover it up while around this person. Paul uses food as being clean and unclean in Romans 14.

19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Jon-Marc

Personally I'm not fond of tattoos, although I did consider getting one once. Fortunately, they wouldn't take a check.