 The
Proclaimer
Appropriate Dress
What is
appropriate dress for the Christian attending the worship services of the
church? You must understand that determining that which is proper involves
expediency and judgment. Any expediency must first be lawful (1 Cor.
10:23). Hence, any immodest apparel would not be expedient, but sinful.
What is proper then, and who determines that which is proper?
Obviously, each
individual is going to have to judge for himself that which is proper dress
for worship services. Remember, God has always required a "first fruit
offering" in any worship or service to Him. Therefore, we should offer Him
the very best that we have. I believe this principle applies to what we
wear to worship services. What we have to wear may not be as "nice" as what
someone else is wearing, but if it is the very best we have to offer, I
believe God is pleased. Thirty years ago I preached for a small country
church. We had several men that wore overalls to worship services. But
they had their "Sunday-go-to-meetin' overalls" and they had their work
overalls. They did not confuse the two. They simply wore the best overalls
they had to worship God.
There was also a
time when if a woman wore pants of any sort she was trying to look like a
man and usurp his authority. I do not believe this is so today. A woman
can express her femininity in pants today. But again the question is one of
propriety. I am concerned about the informality that prevails in many
places and the garb of both men and women who come to worship God. What
would you wear to the wedding of your boss’s daughter? I'm convinced many
Christians would not wear to that wedding what they wear to worship God.
Does this not express priority; what and who we deem important? I think it
does.
Coming to worship God is not a fashion show. But when I stand before God to
exalt His name I want to be wearing the very best I have. What about you?
--
Clark Dugger
The Proclaimer
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