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We are living in a time of moral confusion, and our generation's
immorality is reflected in many of today's styles. Today's
fashion industry has little regard for modesty, and its products
often project a look that is inappropriate for someone who wants
to mirror Christ. The marvelous grace of God in our hearts
compels us to reflect His holiness in the part of our being that
other people see. When a person becomes a Christian, his
experience changes every facet his life-not just the inward
person but the outward person as well.
A
Biblical Principle
The Bible instructs us to wear modest clothing, that is,
clothing with a godly appearance. Of course, our outward
appearance cannot substitute for inward holiness. Adam and Eve
covered themselves with fig leaves after they sinned, but God
found their efforts inadequate. By making clothing of animal
skins for them, He confirmed that they indeed needed modest
clothing, but He also revealed that holiness in appearance must
be associated with God's provision for our sins. Only by the
death of
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, do we obtain the
righteousness of God that we seek to reflect outwardly. God
instructed Israel's high priest to wear "holy garments," for he
represented a holy God (Exodus 28:2). God also ordered the
priests to wear clothing that covered their nakedness and forbad
elevated altars upon which priests would walk and thereby expose
their nakedness (Exodus 20:26; 28:42).
Deuteronomy 22:5 enunciates the moral principle of a clear
distinction between male and female in outward appearance: one
sex must not wear styles of clothing associated with the other.
Proverbs 7:10 speaks of a woman with "the attire associated with
sin and are not suitable for godly people to wear.
The principle that God wants His people to reflect His holiness
applies to the New Testament church (I Peter 1:15-16). We are
called to be living epistles read of all people, declaring to
the world God's holy nature and His abiding presence (II
Corinthians 3:3). Our outward appearance is one way in which we
are an unspoken witness of the transforming power of Christ.
I
Timothy 2:9 admonishes "that women adorn themselves in modest
apparel, with shamedfacedness and sobriety; not with broided
hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." I Peter 3:3 gives
similar instructions.
I
Corinthians 11:1-16 teaches that a woman should have long hair,
for it is her glory, and that a man should not have long hair. A
person's hair serves as an important visible symbol of his or
her submission to God's plan of authority and as a
distinguishing mark between the sexes.
Revelation 16:15 uses clothing as a symbol to instruct the
church to stay close to God: "Blessed is he that watcheth, and
keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his
shame."
Clearly, God puts emphasis on the outward appearance of a
person. To an extent, clothing reflects the condition of the
heart, and it sends message to others about a person's values.
A
Response to God's Grace
Advocating modesty of dress and outward dedication does not mean
advocating salvation by works. Wearing godly dress is not a
meritorious work to earn salvation; rather, it is a response to
the saving grace of God. The blood of Jesus is our only
righteousness. Our salvation comes from God, never from our good
works. To think that we could earn His marvelous grace by
adhering to dress codes would be a terrible mistake. But to
accept the grace of God and then be indifferent to Christ's
commandment for holy living would discredit His mercy. If the
church preaches Christ and His saving grace without teaching
biblical guidelines to live by, it leaves people open to
confusion and failure. Deliberate and continuous disobedience to
God's Word will lead to the loss of saving faith. |
