Author : Dan Richardson
used by permission from “Search” (May/June 2007)
The church of our Lord constitutes the people of God. In order for God’s people to worship and work together collectively, God has authorized the local congregation – like this one – Christians in a given area agreeing to come together in order that God may be worshiped and that they may work together to save souls locally and abroad.
Christians, in and out of church service, must be devoted to faithful, holy living before God. While before we were converted to Christ, we were in this world of sin, now, having obeyed the gospel, we have been translated out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of God’s love (Col.1:13). We are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt. 5:13-15). We are now “an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you our of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). In our devotion to God, we must be dedicated to holy living, and strongly determined to be different from this sinful world – “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1).
While we always need God’s warnings and admonitions to be faithful in our lives generally, it is apparent that we need to be reminded of such even in our worship services! If little emphasis has been given to holiness – in action, dress and speech – one may come to accept such as the norm and have no qualms in bringing worldly behavior into the worship services of the church.
The question of whether this church needs a dress code is a case in point. Whenever Christians have no problem with dressing immodestly in our worship – wearing shorts, tight fitting and low-cut apparel, mini-skirts, etc. – the question has to be asked. When one feels the need to check themselves when greeted by others – tugging at and attempting to rearrange their clothes so as not to expose themselves in outright nudity, they ought to be ashamed. When those who serve the Lord’s Supper feel the need to turn their heads because a dress to too short or a top is too low-cut, there is a problem.
Should it be a surprise to learn that God has already given us such a dress code? “In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation… which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Tim. 2:9). One’s outward appearance is merely a reflection of their character – what’s in their heart. The apostle Peter teaches us this when he says our clothing / appearance should be governed by “the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Pet. 3:3-4). That’s why God admonishes us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov.4:23). That’s also why the scriptures refer to the “attire of a harlot” (Prov. 7:10). Yes, clothes do make the person.
Therefore, to be holy and pure before God requires we dress modestly in and out of the worship services of the church. Indeed, the fact that this problem exists demonstrates our need to give serious thought to our general holiness before God.
Please consider the following points:
- The “god of this world” – the devil- is in the business of trying to blind us to the truth of God’s word, even to the searing of our consciences to that which is decent and right. However we can resist the devil (James 4:7); he won’t take control UNLESS WE LET HIM (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 4:1-2).
- We dare not be naive to the nature of sexual desire and the power of its temptations. We are commanded to “flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6: 18), which necessitates an understanding of lust. Rather than just understanding that the act of sexual immorality is wrong, Jesus said, “…that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). While this imposes duty to the “looker,” would we deny, in light of the scriptures above, that it also demands responsibility in dress / appearance to the one being looked at? Any type of dress – be it a swim suit or any other type of dress – which draws attention to oneself in a sexual way is clearly involved in what the Lord condemns here.
- True to the character of the wicked is a loss of any sense of shame and the inability to “blush” because of their indecent lives (Jer. 6:15). We know why a prostitute dresses the way she does, but what excuse does a Christian have for doing so?
- We have an awesome responsibility to present ourselves as a good example before others, that by our influence, “they may see our good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). One duty in our worship services is that we “consider one another to provoke unto love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). What kind of example does your dress set for fellow Christians in the worship? And what influence does it wield to non-Christians who may be visiting our services? Will they leave our service thinking that “God is among you indeed” (1 Cor. 14:25), when they witness some of the members dressed like the world? Such an appearance, in or out of the church services, destroys one’s influence for good.
- Parents are duty-bound before God to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Godly parents will “nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Entrusted with the souls of their children, parents must not set aside these commands so that their children can blend in with the world in order to save them from the embarrassment of feeling different. Instead, we need to be teaching them that Christians are to be different! (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
Are these concerns merely the ranting of a fanatical preacher? Have I “stopped preachin’ and gone to meddlin’”? Some may think so and consequently dismiss these things as such. Rest assured, though, that your disagreement is not with the preacher – it’s with God! Those who want to please God will prayerfully consider what God’s word says and recognize the gravity of these matters.
