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What to Wear
for Worship
At Community, we have a "relaxed" dress code. We want
anyone to feel comfortable with whatever they have in clothing. On any given
Lord’s Day, we might see people representing every economic or cultural station.
Sometimes people are eager to accept Jesus, but afraid of church, because
everyone there already looks so dignified. Certainly, man looks at the outward
appearance, but God looks on the heart
(1 Samuel 16:7).
So, what does the Bible say about what to wear in the
assembly? Well, Scripture does not directly address cultural matters such as
food and clothing often. But what does the Bible say about what we wear on
Sundays? God’s Word does not tell us what Jesus or the apostles wore, except for
general mention of robes and tunics and the like. It speaks of women having head
coverings
(1 Corinthians 11:5,13) and not braiding
hair and such
(1 Peter 3:3). But these are very
difficult to apply. There is one phrase, however, that may be of some help.
In
Psalm 29:2 we are told to
"worship the Lord in holy array" (New American Standard). This phrase is
translated many ways: "in the beauty of holiness"
(King James Version); "in the splendor of his holiness"
(New International Version); "Dress your best to honor him"
(The Message). What is this relationship between holiness and what we wear? Are
the clothes themselves holy (set apart for worship use), is the Lord
holy (worship the splendor of his holiness), or are we ourselves to
be holy? I think a proper New Testament application is that today God wants our
hearts, not our garments, to be set apart unto him.
If that is the case, how do we dress for worship in a way
that makes us set apart for God? I think in my motives, God is challenging me to
dress for Him, especially on Sundays. Now, if you have been watching closely
over the last month or two, you have probably noticed no change in what I wear
on Sunday. So what makes my application of this Scripture so important to me? It
is the question of who I dressed for. Did I dress to impress a person—my mate, a
friend, some person at church, or an unchurched seeker? If so, I dressed for the
wrong reason. I should dress myself as unto the Lord. What would Jesus wear (WWJW?)
could be my motto!
Consider preparation for church, keeping in mind, to
"worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" or to "worship the Lord with holy
attire." Choose clothing accordingly. While putting on each item of clothing,
dress as if for spiritual battle
(Ephesians 6), and
dedicate each piece unto the glory of the Lord. Truly, it may revolutionize your
view of what you wear, and prepare you to do spiritual warfare on Sundays!
"So whether you eat or drink or
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
(1 Corinthians 10:31). Amen. |
