Question:
How should I dress for worship?
Answer:
We should be careful not to go from one extreme to
the other in answering this question. For example, to require that every
male Christian wear a suit and tie before assembling could be a
dangerous proposition. First, not every male member may own or be able
to afford a suit and tie. Thus, such a requirement would be showing
partiality to the rich over the poor (James 2:1-5). It would also be
binding a requirement upon Christians that is not found in the New
Testament.
On the other hand, some have begun to emphasize and advertise an
attitude towards dress that indicates it does not matter at all. If you
were to attend some churches you would find guys showing up in their
swim trunks and flip-flops and some girls showing up in shorts and
T-shirts to cover up their swim suits they have on underneath that they
plan on stripping down to once they get out of the church building and
hit the beach or pool. Some may say, “God does not care about how you
look,” but this is not true.
There are requirements for modest dress in God’s Word (1 Timothy 2:9-10;
1 Peter 3:3-4). We should not dress in a way that is intended to impress
the opposite sex, put us into a carnal competition with those of the
same sex or that is intended to brag or show off or purposefully rebel.
Such dress does not reflect a “modest” attitude, ever.
In addition, as we prepare to assemble, we should try to remember the
One we are worshipping. If you were invited to dine with the President,
how would you dress? Well, hopefully, in a way that would respect the
occasion. The Lord is with us as we worship (Matthew 18:20). We need to
respect the occasion.
Some women dress better for a nice date than they do for worship. Some
guys dress more professionally and reverently for their boss at work
than they do the living God. Thus, our only hope is that you will give
reverence to the occasion of worshipping God and do your best to dress
respectfully. Thanks for the question.
October 2006