How Should Christians Dress
Sunday, March 13, 2011 AM
By Pastor James May
Getting dressed in the morning is a standard procedure for each of us. With the rising of the sun there is always that choice to be made, “What shall I wear today?” We often try to pick out garments that will make us to appear the best we can to those around us. We try to make sure that everything is clean and in good condition without rips, holes or missing buttons. Before we walk out the door to take on the work of the day we always take that last look in the mirror to make sure that all is well. We want to make this old body look as presentable as possible and that’s a good thing.
One of the things that is always associated with the word Pentecostal is something that we call a dress code. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked, “Are you one of those Pentecostals who believe in strict dress codes like women wearing long dresses, or men wearing coats and ties all the time?” All I can say is, if that’s what we believe in then there are a whole lot of us who are backslidden this morning. In fact if I saw some of you with a suit and tie or really dressed up nice, I’d be worried something strange was going on, like maybe you were getting ready for your own funeral because you’d never dress that good for anyone else’s funeral.
While I do believe that the Bible teaches that we should dress modestly and not in a manner that we should bring attention to ourselves and cause lustful thoughts in other people,
I don’t believe that we should have to line you up every time you come to church with a strict set of dress codes that we use to judge whether you look like a Christian or a heathen. I will admit though, that there have been a few times when I’ve had to enforce certain dress codes, but it has always, always been in connection with those who stand in front of the congregation on the platform. I do think that those who choose to be in a ministry that stands before the people should hold themselves to a higher standard so that we won’t be a stumbling block to those in the pews.
One thing that every Christian should always keep in mind is, would you want to meet Jesus dressed like you are, at any given moment, when you walk outside of your home. The fact is that we are always portraying Christ to the world if we are a Christian. We should always desire to present Christ in the right manner, and that includes the manner in which we dress.
I’m preaching on a dress code this morning, but it’s not on the dress code of the outward appearance. I want to talk to you a few minutes on the dress code of the heart and of the spirit.
The Bible tells us that God looks upon the heart and not just upon the outward appearance. Now some people might think that God doesn’t look upon the outward at all, but he does notice that too. The important thing is that the condition of the heart will always determine the outward appearance. If you heart is right before God, I won’t have to worry about your outward appearance, and if I ever feel the need to speak to you about your outward appearance you can rest assured that there is a deeper spiritual problem that you need to take care of more than your outward dress.
So what kind of dress code am I talking about? Look with me into the Book of Colossians chapter three and you will see where I’m coming from.
There are some things in your life as a Christian that we are instructed to put on all of the time. From those words, “Put On”, we can assume that these things can also be put aside, and I believe that’s true because as we go through this you will find that there are a lot of Christians who often forget to get fully dressed spiritually before they leave the house.
Colossians 3:12, 13 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Here’s the first thing that we all need to do in the morning. We should look into the mirror and look into the eyes of the person staring back at you and tell that person, “You need to remember that you are supposed to be one of the chosen people of God; part of the very elect – the greatest people on the earth; a people with a manifest destiny to make Heaven their home. Remind yourself that you are holy people, separated unto God, made righteous through the Blood of the Lamb, and that you are loved deeply by God as one of his own dear children.
Then the next thing you need to tell that person in the mirror is, “Don’t forget that every other Christian is the same as you are; than God is no respecter of persons and that every one of God’s people deserves the same respect and recognition as I do.”
The we should remind ourselves of the great mercy of God that has been extended to each of us. Except for God’s mercy, where would any of us be this morning? Whether you are a saint or a sinner; born again, Holy Ghost filled, or not; God’s mercy is still being extended to you right now. And because we have the mercies of God upon us; we should always be quick to give that same measure of mercy to everyone else we meet.
Too many in our world are completely self-centered today. They behave as though they are the only ones who deserve anything and that every other person on the planet exists only to see to it that I get what I want all of the time. America is such a spoiled society that we have forgotten there was any such thing as a Golden Rule! On the highways its every man thinking that this road is mine and I shouldn’t have to observe traffic laws, only everybody else. If you don’t think that’s true then see how many violate speed laws, seatbelt laws, stop lights and even 4-way stop signs. There’s no such thing as taking turns. It’s every man for himself and a lot of people just think that they always have the right of way whether they were at the intersection first or not. I can’t tell you how many wrecks there have been at the 4-way stop near my house simply because one or more people decide that the stop signs aren’t for them; just for everyone else, and when two of these folks get there at the same time, they quickly learn that Newton’s Law of Physics that state that two objects of matter cannot occupy the same space at the same time still hold true.
We need to put on that heart of mercy and learn to be kind to one another instead of demanding and overbearing. I’ve seen a lot of Christians who have forgotten to put on kindness. You can see in it their attitude, in the way they talk and the way they treat everyone around them. None of us were created to be Lords over anyone else but we sure see a lot of people trying to act as though God put them in charge of everyone else around them; barking orders, having a controlling and critical spirit. We could use a few more “bowels full of mercy” around the church sometimes so that we could show a little more kindness and consideration for the feelings of others.
Every morning we need to look at that person in mirror and tell him/her that you aren’t all that you think you are and that you really don’t know everything, so give other people the benefit of the doubt before you speak out. Learn to be humble. I know, some of you wake up thinking, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you are the best and stand tall above the rest.” That very thought proves that you need more humility.
Paul says to put on humbleness of mind. Why does he say it that way? That’s because humility must become the way you think before it will get into your heart and change the way you act. If there is true humility then it won’t be so hard to put on the rest of your spiritual dress like meekness and longsuffering. Remember, all of these are things that we each have to consciously put on every day. The nature of the flesh is never meek, kind or humble. The flesh loves to take pride and pre-eminence. If we allow our fleshly nature to rule in our lives we will always have the same attitude as the people have in the those commercials on the TV where people yell out, “It’s my money and I need it NOW!” Instead we would be yelling, “Get out of the way. It’s my road and I need it now!” “Hurry up with that check out line, this is my register and I need it now.” “ Hurry up with my food order, I don’t care how many are ahead of me, “It’s my food, I’m hungry and I need it now.” The only longsuffering going on is on the part of that poor person that has to stand there for long hours suffering through the self-centered and prideful customers that just keep coming all day.
We must put on a little forbearance for one another and allow other people to make mistake without condemning them; to do things a different way than we would without trying to continually correct them and forcing them to conform to our way.
And one thing that we just absolutely have to put on to our spiritual man every single day is the idea of forgiveness. How would we like it if God held grudges against us for every time we might have hurt his feelings, for every time we might have ignored him or for every time we blamed him for something that he didn’t do? Remember, if you can’t forgive; then don’t expect to receive forgiveness from the Lord. That’s what God’s Word says!
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
The number one thing that we all need to “Put On” fresh every morning is a brand new heavy dose of Love for one another. Love is the key to being the kind of person that we must be to present Christ to the world. After all, Jesus is Love and the world needs to see the Love of God in us before they will ever see Jesus in us. Without love we are nothing; but with love we are everything. The love of God should be like a giant bubble that constantly surrounds us all of the time so that whoever we meet can sense and feel that Love of God in us.
There was a song back in the 60’s that said, “What the world needs now, is Love, sweet love; that’s the one thing that there’s too little of…” No truer words were ever spoken, but we need the Love of God; not the love that this song was talking about. The world can’t even know the true meaning of Love without Jesus. It’s up to you and me to show the world what the Love of God is really all about, but we can’t show what we don’t have. If we don’t put on that love every day, how are people going to ever see it in us?
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Along with what we are commanded to put on every morning; we are also commanded to allow God’s peace to rule in our hearts. If we could learn to just trust God and let peace rule, how much less worry would we have? Peace is a result of absolute faith; and if you haven’t experienced that calm assurance; that peace in your heart; that all will be well in spite of any circumstances that arise; then perhaps you just need to let faith arise and then rest in the peace of knowing God is in control.
The world cannot know this peace; for they have no trust in God! But we, as Christians, should walk through this world as though nothing of this world can touch us! It’s like that little saying that went around a few years ago, When it comes to the Peace that God can offer, “YOU CAN’T TOUCH THIS”! The world doesn’t understand or know the peace of God, and to people who don’t know Jesus, you will always appear as someone out of touch with reality with your head in the clouds. Of course you will appear that way, because that’s the way you are! This world isn’t your home! Your home is somewhere beyond the blue, up in Heaven! My mind, my life, my future, my hope, my dreams, my home – they’re all beyond the clouds, that’s why I always appear to be up there, and try to rise above the pettiness of the world. What happens today, or tomorrow only matters if it is going to make a difference in my eternal destination, otherwise why should I let it upset me or destroy my peace.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Here’s another command from the Word of God; something that we must allow to happen. It’s not automatic; it’s by choice. We must choose every day to let the Word of God be a part of our life and not just in some memorized corner of the heart, but in a living manner that has an impact on every move we make. If we allow the Word of God to live in us; control us; empower us; then we will be wise through the wisdom of the Word and we will be enabled to teach it, preach it and use it for the encouragement of others and the saving of lost souls.
If the Word of the Lord is truly living in you, there will a spring in your step, a song in your heart, and your whole being will be an example of the grace of God reaching out to others.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Paul says that if we put on those things that we have spoken about, (bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another), and we will allow God love, mercy, peace and word to live in us, then we can’t help but be an ambassador for Christ. Your very life will be a product of the Christ that is in us! We will always go about doing those things that prove our Love for God through our love one for another, and peace will reign in our homes and lives. And for that we can be very thankful.
This is all part of that “Abundant Life” that Jesus promised us. Your life will carry more joy, more peace, more blessing than you can imagine, simply because you get up every morning and put on the things of God and allow the Word of God to be first in your life.
The next several verses give us some examples of how that life will be more peaceful and more abundant:
Colossians 3:18, 19 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
In our society today, no one cares to add these words to their wedding vows anymore. Why is that so? First it’s a matter of self-centeredness and pride, but secondly, it is also a matter of self-preservation!
The problem is that we don’t put on the bowels of mercy and allow the Love of God to reign in us and instead we take on that self-centered controlling attitude that tries to make other people be and do what we want them to instead of what God intends.
A wife won’t have a problem submitting to her husband if her husband first learns to submit to God and love her the way that Jesus loves his people. But when that old man develops a bitter heart toward God; doesn’t obey the Word of God; and starts chasing after the things of the world; how can a wife who loves God be submissive to him? Too many people are trapped in marriages and relationships today that are not Christ centered; do not have the Love of God in their homes; and as a result there is constant bickering and fighting for control with both the husband and the wife trying to have it their way. Marriage is not a Burger King relationship where you can “Have it Your Way”. It’s a commitment to work together to let God have His way! That’s the only way it will work!
Colossians 3:20, 21 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
The same goes true with the relationship between parents and children. Many kids today don’t respect their parents or even hate their parents. We all know that this is a sign of the last days but why is it happening? It’s happening because both parents and their kids do not put on the spiritual things that Paul speaks about and certainly don’t allow the Love of God and Word of God to have a place in their lives. The parents are too self-centered with their own lives to worry about the kids; and the kids are too self-centered with what they want to care what the parents think or what they are doing.
Anarchy rules because neither side is willing to submit and humble themselves before God. Sure the kids of today are disrespectful, disobedient and self-centered, but I don’t blame them. Every generation has been born with those attitudes as a part of their nature but by it is the duty of the parents to shape the thinking and attitudes of those kids and parents just don’t care anymore. Parents have given up their authority over the kids and now the kids rule over the parents, all because we failed to put on the things of God every day and allow the things of God to rule in us.
Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
The servant includes the idea of the relationship that we all have with bosses on the job. You’re a servant to those who sign your paycheck whether you like it or not. Christians should be the hardest working, least complaining, most honest and dependable people on any job because they are doing everything as if it were for Christ himself.
First we should be obedient unless what we are told is opposed to the Word of God. And we should never try to be a troublemaker. Every job has its agitators, but if that agitator is a Christian then he’s a man with a spiritual problem who has failed to put on the things of God before he showed up on the job. God’s people are peacemakers, not troublemakers!
Colossians 3:23, 24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
It is understandable how people that are focused on the things of this world alone can be so self-centered; after all, what they see now, what they have now, and their lifelong dreams, are all that there is for them. To the unsaved, there’s only one chance and its here and now, to take all you can for yourself.
A Christian should know that the greater things to be desired are not of this present world, but of that world to come. Our ultimate goal is heaven and nothing else can compare. When we put on those things that Paul has commanded every day, and we allow God’s word to rule our lives, we will ever be mindful that there is something far greater than anything this world has to offer. Out treasure will be in Heaven; not in the earth. Let the world fight over the things of this world. Accept what God gives; and use it all for his glory, and never forget that it will all be gone some day.
There is a judgment day coming; and it’s not far away. Make sure that you put on the things of God every day. Let the Love of Jesus shine through you and let the world fight for what they what. What I want; Jesus has already freely given and no man can take it away.
Did you get dressed properly this morning? Are you allowing Jesus to reign in your heart?
Get up every day and get dressed before you head out the door. Put on mercy for those who don’t deserve it. Put on kindness and little humility so that they will help you to allow other people to make mistakes without facing your judgment and wrath. Learn to have patience and learn to forgive. That’s the way of peace! That’s the way to a blessed life in Christ! You have to wear the right spiritual garments.
