Bible doctrine should apply to our lives. Making these applications is the duty of the Bible expositor and the mother with the little ones she is training on a daily basis. A verse from 1 Corinthians chapter eleven jumps out at me. Here is a great doctrinal truth: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Awesome verse of Scripture speaking of the plan of Scriptural responsibility. This verse has been misunderstood. It does not mean that men are better than women, but it does remind us that God has an order of responsibility. When we follow this, God-given order, He receives glory in our homes, in our churches, and in our nation.
This great doctrine of the Scriptures is applied to something that seems to be very mundane, very ordinary, our dress standards. Now a lot of people just get mad when they hear that the preacher is going to be speaking on that subject. Sometimes people have left churches after just such a sermon. That is certainly not my intention, to run someone away from a church that loves them and where the Word of God is preached. Listen, there are some places that you can go where nobody says anything about how Christians ought to or ought not to dress. The Bible talks about it, why should we avoid it? Some have ridden their personal hobby horses over and over this subject ad infinitum, ad nauseum. This not all of the Bible, but it is important. Especially in our day of loose morals and exposure, we need the truths of God's Word to help us stay on track and be better witnesses for our Savior.
1. Your dress should distinguish your sex. Ladies should be recognizable as ladies and not wear a man's apparel. In some cultures this would mean that the ladies would wear billowy, baggy things that look like trousers. Men would wear a skirt or flowing robe in some cultures that would oppose a woman wearing such "manly" attire! Men, in our culture, must not be cross-dressers! Let's obey the Deuteronomy 22:5 injunction and guard our wardrobe. Men dress like men. Ladies, dress with femininity and godly grace. Away with the unisex fads and fashions.
2. Your dress should not hinder your testimony for Jesus Christ. Dressing in some modern styles does more harm to our testimony for Christ than it does good. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us that we are the salt and the light in our culture, and therefore, we should act and dress in such a way that God is seen. Sometimes we know better what would not be pleasing to the Lord in regards to our dress standards. Something that is too revealing, too form-fitting, too low, or too high is easily spotted as not being a good witness for the Lord. I thank the Lord for standards. It is good to know what is expected at our places of work, and a higher standard is better. How much more should we as believers lift up the standard in our personal grooming as well as our personal behavior.
3. Your dress should not cause some fellow-believer to stumble. In most of our cities, there are certain districts in which you will find women standing on the corners, just like is mentioned in Proverbs 7, and "selling their wares". How do these women, who need to find real freedom and forgiveness in Christ, dress? Sadly, there are church-ladies whose dress does not seem much different. Of course there is no excuse for Christian men yielding to fleshly temptations to illicit affairs, and there is not excuse for women (supposedly Christian women) dressing like a street-walker! Let's be on our guard. Men, you too should dress and deport yourself in such a way as to honor the Lord. Wouldn't it be a shame for the preacher to show up at a wedding with his swimming trunks on? There is a time for the trunks, but it is not in the place of worship. Let the common sense that God has given you, the Word of God, and a genuine desire for your brothers and sisters in Christ to live honorable and pure lives govern your dress code. Raise the bar!
4. Your dress ought to remind you of what Jesus has done for you. There is a reason that God provided clothing of skins for Adam and Eve. Clothing is designed to conceal, not to reveal. Standing naked before God, Adam and Eve knew that they had sinned and deserved the righteous punishment of a holy God. God knew all about their rebellion and sinful behavior. They were caught. Aprons of fig leaves would not suffice for a covering, and point to man's best efforts in religion to cover the guilt of an unregenerate race. God will never be appeased or pleased with religion. More is needed! An acceptable covering must be found. Blood must be shed for a covering to be provided. God Himself will do the deed. What a picture of Calvary and the covering God has provided for our sins! Rejoice, there is a sacrifice that atones, covers, all of our sins! "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house." Acts 16:31. Will you receive Him and be clothed in His righteousness today? If this is your desire, please contact me today.
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