What Not to Wear
Last night, the JMB played at a church about an hour away from Frankfort. To make a long story short, we apparently didn’t dress for the occasion. To be fair, we should check with each church from now on to get their opinion of proper dress. It’s only right for us to be considerate of their opinions and dress accordingly.
But, this begs a huge question.
Does it REALLY matter what we wear to church? The Bible never tells us that women should wear dresses and men should wear a suit and tie. It just so happens that traditional church society has always held this view. Is there anything wrong with dressing up for church? NOT AT ALL. Is there anything wrong with wearing a t-shirt and jeans? NOT AT ALL.
Exception: Sorry girls. You can’t wear the same thing to church that you wear to the club to pick up guys. Short skirts and tight tops on Sunday morning ain’t gonna cut it. You see, that makes guys want to check you out, which more than likely will cause us to lust. By causing us to sin, you are sinning. You CAN look attractive AND dress conservatively. This idea shouldn’t be limited to Sunday morning, either.
Jesus didn’t die on a cross only for people who dress up for church. He also didn’t die just for people who like to wear jeans to church. Dressing up or dressing comfortably aren’t requirements for worshipping our God. Let’s stop making a big deal about what people are wearing to church. I won’t get upset with you for wearing a tux if you won’t get upset with me for wearing jeans with a hole in them. Okay? Deal.
I have always struggled with the ‘what to wear’ issue. I don’t care what people who have never been in church wear. We should take them anyway we can to be able to minister and witness to them.
But consider:
-God was very specific in His requirements for the priests clothes when they entered the temple. Are we not all priests? Is God not concerned with our everything?
-When Jesus was in the garden with God, His clothes were turned radiant white. Is that something we should consider if we are in the presence of God?
-Throughout the new testament we are asked to give God our best. Why do we wear a tux in a wedding for the girl we love, and wear jeans to church to worship God who we are supposed to love more than anyone or anything else?
-If we are saints now and jeans are OK, then why is God going to give us a robe and crown when we get to Heaven? Appearance must be somewhat important.
Paul says we are to be all things to all people so we might win some. Dress is certainly an issue in our society and we should give serious consideration to what we wear where.
We are called to be set apart, light and salt. Holes in our jeans doesn’t really set us apart from the rest of the world. Yea, some will say God sees our heart, but our dress, just like our checkbook is a reflection of who we are to those who can’t see us, like God, through the blood of Jesus.
Just some thoughts for your consideration.
Anonymous
31 Jul 06 at 5:01 pm
Thanks for your input!
1. My first question: who are you?
2. God is mostly concerned with our heart - our motive for whatever we do in life should be to glorify God. If one supports dressing up for church as a way they are trying to glorify God, I would not argue against that. In my thinking, however, God does not command me to dress up for church in order to glorify Him.
3. A tux in a wedding is another “rule of society” or a traditional view of what a wedding should be. If someone wants to wear a Hawaiian shirt, cut off shorts and sandals, I’d say that’s ok. Once again, their heart is the issue. Are they proving their love for the girl by wearing a tux?
4. Our robe and crown in Heaven are all part of the glorious riches God is going to give us once we get to Heaven. That still does not support dressing up for church a requirement - it’s simply part of our heavenly reward.
I wholeheartedly agree we should give consideration to our dress in certain situations. My main point with this is that I cannot find a commandment in Scripture for Christians to dress up for worship.
One of the many reasons the church has lost touch with a lost society is the simple fact that MANY lost people think part of going to church is putting on a suit and tie. We need to make them realize a relatioship with God is far more important than the clothes on their back.
Andrew
31 Jul 06 at 5:57 pm
checking with each church….good idea……
me
31 Jul 06 at 6:34 pm