The dress code?

What to wear where had been discussed in the “Brethren” circle for decades and it remains an unsolved problem. While in my teens (during the late 60s) one young man raised a question in a youth meeting, “Is it appropriate for a believer to wear T- shirts?” Around the same period in a prominent assembly in Kerala one young brother send a notice to one of the elders saying that all financial support to Bro. “S” (who was a prominent evangelist in North India), should be withdrawn as his daughters have come wearing churidar to the assembly during one of their family visits to Kerala. To my understanding, the girls were wearing the only dress they had, which was their school uniform. These has become the norm today and no one is asking any questions on it.

While the Bible says that man should not wear women’s dress and a women should not wear man’s dress; it did not specify on the type of dress because the type for man and women varies according to the culture and time in which we live. In my understanding it only means that man and woman must dress in a manner that their sex should be identified at the very first sight (Prima face).

While no one can insist a dress code for Christians, an honest Christian must understand and consider certain things. A true Christian is not selfish and he/she seeks the good of others. That means; the rights, desires and comforts are sacrificed for the good of others who might be weaker in many ways. We must understand that we are living in the midst of three generations all the time. The older generation who are in their seventies (60-80) may not and cannot understand or accept the present trends and the present generation who are in their 20-40s may not understand the older generation and their feelings and in most cases will fully neglect to consider them. Remember, honor your father and mother is a command with a promise. Then we also have the third generation, which are the grand- children of the older generation. Now a good and genuine Christian must be considerate to all the three generations of people. They should not insist on wearing something which would be offensive to the older generation and are not an example to the third generation. There are certain standards that were established by our forefathers and the elders of an assembly. One should not violate and hurt them and bring dishonor to them for his/her own comfort and selfish ideas. Our rights and privileges should be exercised in a balanced way to bring Glory to the name of the Lord and harmony to the body of Christ. This is a strong teaching established by Apostle Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians.

My second thought in this regard is from the parable of the marriage feast. Here the man who was found without a proper wedding dress was cast in to the darkness where there is weeping and gnashing. Why the king was so cruel? All the guests were supplied with proper garments. But this one man purposely rejected the king’s own gracious provision. While it speaks of the garment of righteousness which the Lord offers to a believer, may I take it in the primary realm. Not wearing a proper garment was an insult to the king who invited him to the feast. Why we want to present ourselves in good apparels when we go for a wedding party or even for a funeral? In my opinion the way I dress for an occasion indicates my respect to my host and all those who are gathered there. If we are dressed in a shabby outfit when we come to the assembly meetings which are in the holy presence of the King of kings and in to His banqueting table, we are dishonoring the Lord. Will you go to your brother’s wedding in that outfit or for a job interview or even to meet your boss at work? Is the Lord in whose presence you come is of any lesser importance and respect? You can wear any kind of apparel when you go to the market, because in the market there is no one whom you need to respect.

We do not have to wear expensive cloths, but can were spotless and wrinkle less cloths. A wrinkled cloth can be ironed to make it look better. One who is not ironing his cloth is lazy and laziness is something God hates. Ephesians 5:27 – “He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” This verse may not have any relevance here. But remember that spot and wrinkle are something God do not appreciate. If a believer is to be spotless and wrinkle free inside, that quality should be manifested outside also. It is a matter of respect to God and fellow believers.

While we cannot establish a dress code every believer is encouraged to consider the other and others feelings. Questions were also raised about wearing t-shirts and Jeens. The pattern and the material do not make any difference. But it is better to avoid something you will wear for a football game or to the market. If you insist on wearing a t-shirt and Jeens let it be neat and clean looking. If you are called to appear for a job interview, will you be wearing something which you use for a football game? Why you want to present yourself neatly at an interview? Remember that you are coming before the most high God and His servants. You have a responsibility to honor God and His servants who are your fellow brethren.

God appreciates neatness and holiness. Neatens is next to holiness. It is a sign of respect to God and fellow believers. This applies to all gatherings of saints, not only to Sunday meeting.

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”

“Sluggards do not plow in season; so, at harvest time they look but find nothing.”

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

I know some of you might respond to this with a “wrangled forehead” and discard. But something to consider.