So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Col 3:12-14)You see it there, right? Because we are chosen of God, holy, and beloved, "put on ...", and it lists the "clothing" we are to wear.
It's a pretty extensive list. It begins with "compassion" and ends with "love." And that "love" is the full-on, agape type. Unconditional, selfless, giving ... that love. It's listed as "beyond all." There's a lengthy section about "forgiving each other" because we're required to forgive. Jesus said if we don't, we won't be forgiven (Matt 6:14-15). (Which, by the way, suggests that true believers will forgive because it is part of their new nature to do so.) One that I've recently found interesting is that "kindness" one. Paul wrote for us to be kind to one another. What did he really say? The word is chrēstos. It means, interestingly enough, "useful." That is, the biblical idea of "kindness" is being useful to others. According to Paul, it's a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). How are we -- you and I -- doing at being "useful" to others? (You can see how "kindness" is an outward-looking trait, as opposed to so many things we treasure that look inward.)
Christians are supposed to be known for their love for one another (John 13:35). We're supposed to be "kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:32). These things are not a "to-do list." They're our dress code. We're supposed to wear them, put them on, have them with us at all times. They are both Spirit-provided and our choice. Put them on. You (and I) ... put them on. I hope you're going out dressed appropriately.
11 comments:
Here I was hoping for a controversial take on church clothing. This was better. Living the Christian life will look different from the non-Christian life. And it is so saddening that it is so difficult to tell anymore.
When I contemplate my special attire as a (female) believer, I know my wardrobe will include “the garments of salvation” and the “robe of righteousness” (Isa. 61:10), a “gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Pet. 3:4), “modest apparel” (1 Tim. 2:9), as well as the “whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:11-17). I also desire to display those qualities you highlight today, which ought to be my Christian “uniform” of sorts as the Lord nurtures the fruit of the Spirit in me. May I be dressed in a manner fitting for the daughter of the King, as I put on Christ and the new nature.
I live near “the Plain People” of Pennsylvania, who believe that their distinctive style of dress is an expression of their faith, a commitment to their community’s unique lifestyle, and separation from worldly fashion. Their “plain dress” is meant to avoid drawing attention to themselves, as they eschew individuality in a spirit of humility and modesty. Ironically, though, outside of their own community, they are very much “on display,” drawing much attention by their appearance--thus defeating their own purpose, to my mind. How much better to “stand out” for one’s behavior, character, and inner qualities than by one’s outward attire.
Just out of curiosity, doesn't their distinctive dress actually draw attention to them? It seems like dressing as if one is still in the 1800's is going to draw attention in 2025, no matter what. Is there a way to dress simply and that doesn't draw attention, without the anachronistic elements?
This is truly curiosity, I regularly spend time in areas with an heavy Amish concentration, as well as in parts of Utah which are heavily LDS, and in both cases their attire draws attention rather than deflects. I don't disagree at all with the premise, but wonder if there's another way to accomplish their goal.
Yes, things we should "put on."
I see that you picked up on my theme (I’m sure it wasn’t difficult :). I enjoy opportunities like that to gather all the Bible verses I can think of on a particular topic and blend them into a cohesive mini-lesson for myself!
Yes, Craig, as I commented above, I believe that their efforts to discourage attention are counterproductive--at least when they are apart from their own people. Personally, I’m not convinced that the particular practices adopted by the Amish are necessary in order to live “in the world but not of it” (as they evidently believe). I also surmise that their lifestyle is a serious hindrance to witnessing to outsiders, who cannot be faulted for considering them just another subculture with their own peculiar attire and appearance (like bikers, punks, goths, hippies, furries, Moonies, Hutterites, FLDS, etc.!). As I mentioned, inward qualities speak louder than dress codes, in my opinion.
I think how we dress does matter because it is a reflection of internal attitudes. If you go to church in whatever wrinkled thing you can pull from your closet, that shows a lack of respect for God and your fellow believers. I'm not arguing for a dress code, but we need to be thinking about what we wear says about what we think about God and our fellow Man.
Lorna, I must have missed that. I was focused on your last sentence, which I agree with.
I do agree that the actions of groups like the Amish do put them in a position where witnessing to those outside of their group is well nigh impossible. While I'd agree that there is much about modern culture that can be given up or minimized, I'm not sure how they can insist that the only way to YHWH is to live in the style of 1800's America.
They do present as just one more odd, but mostly positive, subculture that people like to visit (and buy furniture and crafts), but would never join.
David,
I agree that what we wear does reflect our inner attitude. Yet isn't it possible that the Amish and others put so much importance on wearing the right sort of clothes that what they wear becomes an idol?
We were studying last night and discussing the difference between the "end" of the Christian life, which is being in the presence of YHWH, and the means which we use to accomplish that. We talked bout how we can get so wrapped up in the means, that we fail to achieve the end. I can see this being a similar situation
I think it does come down to our attitude about YHWH and how we express our reverence. Is the message we really want to send as Christians that we place more importance on what is worn to church, over being in church? (Not that you are saying that at all)
It seems like this is a Christian liberty issue to some degree. I'm not comfortable making judgements about others and their relationship with YHWH, based on what they wear. Yet, I firmly believe that those who are in leadership positions in a worship service should be expected to meet some minimal standards of dress.
I see it this way. Would you think it okay for people to dress as casually as they do for church if they were going to a wedding, or a funeral, or a job interview? Why do we dress nice for such things in the first place? Is it not out of respect for the people there or reverence for the occasion? And yet we just shrug at it for church? The place where we go to worship our Savior with other believers doesn't get the same respect as a job interview? I'm not saying we should all be in coattails and dresses, but we should be able to give a reason for the way we present ourselves on sacred spaces the way we do. The problem is, we don't see church as a sacred place anymore. It's merely a social function, sing a few pleasant songs, hear a few announcements, listen to a good sermon about how God loves us and we can be better people. And we dress like that. We dress like we're going to a picnic, when we're going to a place to bow before our holy God. I'm not judging individuals for their attire, I'm judging Christianity for it's lackadaisical approach to God.
You guys do know that there was nothing about dressing for church in the post, right?
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