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The Christian Dress Code

The Bible college I attended had a “Sunday morning dress code” (Guys had to wear a shirt and tie and the girls had to wear dresses or skirts). Considering the range of backgrounds and opinions about what constituted “acceptable attire”, the dress code was appropriate and necessary.

Did you know that the Bible specifies a “Christian dress code” that applies, not just to Sunday morning, but every day of the week?

As you may suspect, this dress code does not have to do with physical clothing. Instead, it is focused on our attitudes, actions and how we represent Christ.

A quick tour through the New Testament yields an entire list of things that are to “Put on”. That list includes things like: truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the word of God, prayer, compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love and a quiet spirit (see Ephesians 6:11-17; Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Peter 2-4).

Fortunately, as with most things in the word of God, this transformation does not rest on my own strength or goodness. You see, the first thing that we are told to “put on” will help us with all the others. “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).

When we are “clothed with Christ” then we have the power to change. As Paul says, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

This is not about earning salvation. Rather it is about showing, on the outside, the change that is taking place on the inside. As Jesus said, “A good tree bears good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-20).

We immediately recognize a police officer, a firefighter or an astronaut when we see them because of what they wear. When people look at the attitudes that you “wear” each day, will they know that you are a Christian? Will they see Christ?

In this case, our “Sunday best” is not just for Sunday.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Great work.
November 10, 2008 at 8:59 AM
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