I Have Personally Had The Privilege of serving the ecclesia as an arranging brother for nearly 30 years. There are many topics that come up for discussion on a somewhat regular basis, one of which is the clothing we wear. The subject of dress is one that has arisen at least three times in my active memory. This challenging issue came up again at the last meeting.
We are not alone in this concern. Today, even the world is having second thoughts on just what makes for acceptable dress and what goes over the line. A local high school recently tried to impose a dress code on incoming students. Unhappily for everyone, it seems that it was challenged and then ignored with compromising, pampering parents probably being the biggest problem.
Guidelines from scripture
Our life is not in the world. It is in Christ. While there is no clear biblical dress code there are certainly a number of guidelines that direct us. Here are three that we must live by.
First, there is the principle of offence. It is the “eating meat” principle actually. If doing anything causes our brethren and sisters to stumble or fall — then, in Christ, we cannot continue to do that thing. Not eating meat offered to idols applies to fashion today. And, not only to the lack or manner of clothing — but also in such things as offensive language printed on our clothing and gross graphics that have no place in righteous and holy living.
Second, there is the principle of modesty. Paul and Peter both provide simple direction on this issue with most comments being directed at women. Peter commands that walk and wear should reflect the “purity and reverence of your lives.” Paul says that women should dress “modestly, with decency and propriety…with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” The principle can equally apply to men — however, throughout most of Bible history, the apparel concerns are directed at women.
Third, there is the principle of flesh. This is illustrated clearly by Paul to the Corinthians, in chapter 11 — the “head covering” chapter. One of the issues is that the woman’s hair was given to her by God to make her attractive to the man; therefore it should be covered so as not to distract from worship and the overall ability of the congregation to give glory to God and not to man. If we expose the body (and its more sensual parts), we are not giving glory to God, but to man. So, we cover it up.
Free, but slaves
The problem has always been the pressure of the world’s influence. Society says it is no one else’s business how we dress. This is the age of individual rights and freedoms. We make up our own rules and codes for living. If it “feels right” for us, then it is right for us. I am continually amazed, however, that while the world is telling us to be “us” and to be free to choose, it enslaves us under the tyrannical yoke of fashion, peer pressure and conformity.
The world tells us we are free to be slaves to serve the world’s fashions. In Christ, we are told we can be free from the world — to serve Christ. The difference is that one leads to eternal death — the other to eternal life. What we choose is the important issue.
So there is most certainly a dress code. If we are not dressing with our fellow pilgrims in mind, with modesty and godliness, making sure that we dress in a way that gives glory to God — then we are dressing with the world. And, we must understand that while that is our clear prerogative, dressing with the world will receive the world’s reward.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One