@TheologyNerd
I suppose, in practice, you are right much of the time. For those like you, there is no direct new covenant prohibition that speaks of tattoos, either for or against. When I replied to @JennyLynne, I was not suggesting everything we do in our lives must be labeled either “sin” or “righteousness”; as you say many activities may be neutral, “the same as buying a pair of shoes, eating pizza, or taking a stroll through a garden.” There are of course some stark differences between these activities and getting a tattoo however, differences that are difficult to ignore.
The first difference is, if you at some point become convicted of impropriety, you can repent of buying shoes, eating pizza, or strolling through parks, as none of your listed examples are permanent decisions.
The second difference is that in your list of “neutral activities”, none carry any stigma, or make any social statements.
The third difference is one you pointed out in a different thread where you rightly stated the Christian mission is to deny self, “take up our cross, and follow Jesus”. That “taking up our cross” admonition bears some influence on this subject. While you rightly point out a tattoo is not prohibited, however, as “slaves of righteousness” our reminder is that we “were bought at a price” therefore we are admonished to “glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God’s.”(1 Corinthians 6:20). An often unspoken thought is that what you do to your body, you are doing to The Body of Christ, as you are “in Him” and “He in you”. An ancillary thought is what you do to your body you are also doing to all of us who share that body in Christ, for we are “members of one another”. The decision you make is no longer yours alone, we are no longer among the self-indulging autonomous lost masses, we have become a united body of testimony. While I would not think twice of buying you a pair of shoes, eating a pizza with you, or strolling through a park with you, I would not ever consider having you tattooed.
One more consideration is one on which I have no authority surmising, and that is “motive”. I am well aware of the stated reasons most people (including yourself) give regarding their decision to be inked. I am no discerner of the heart; I am, like all men, one who looks only on the outward appearance. As men we look at other actions, and one observer may read a vastly different message from the next. One may look at a tattooed person and think the ink is “cool” or fashionable, or deduce some personal statement about the person or their life. Another man may read a very contrary message. But what others think when they see a tattooed person is not important, as their opinion is rarely accurate, but what God knows motivates this act is of utmost importance, because He is always accurate. It is fair to say that God knows more about the true motivations of men than the men know, or are willing to admit of themselves.
So, my question, “is it righteousness” is answered, “God knows”.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:12-17
Peace without judgement
KP
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