Heaven’s Guide to Proper Fashion

Clothesline religion-“The leaders of the church my family attended placed tremendous emphasis on outward, legalistic standards laid down by the denominational headquarters.”

Jim gives an example of some legalistic rules where seamless stockings were said to be “sensual” and thus loudly condemned while just a few years later when seamless stockings became the norm, the same men preached against the evils of seamed stockings that were then considered to be “alluring.”

“Legalistic rules are hard to lay down and even harder to enforce.”

Has anyone here experienced something similar to this?

Some other prohibitions experienced by Jim were;

1. No red clothes of any kind.
2. No open toed shoes.
3. No chewing gum.
4. Men’s hair was not permitted to touch the ear.
5. Men growing facial hair.
6. Eating raisins because they come from the same grapes used to make wine.

“All the extremes set aside, it is important for the Holy Spirit to teach us the meaning of what God does clearly say about outward apparel  in such passages as 1 Tim. 2:9.

Often what the world would consider being ok or just “sensual” is often an abomination to our Holy Father.

With moral pollution increasing and extreme sexuality common in much of the fashion industry, Christian men and women who want to please the Lord will often have to go against the tide.

Have you ever considered what is legal to wear in public? At the beach? In court?

Some examples of compliments the Brooklyn Tabernacle has received concerning dress are:

1. Smartly and moderately dressed.
2. Attendees are as well groomed as their circumstances permit.
3. Attractive as a whole.

Thank you Lord for the Grace Church of the Nazarene, a place of refuge, grace, family, and warm hospitality.

“We all know that God is more interested in the hearts of His people than He is in their outward appearance, but it is probably wisest for us to look the best we can on the outside. Although a church service should never be a “fashion show” inappropriate dress can be both distracting and not helpful to the worship of God.”

What is heaven’s guide to proper fashion? Col. 3:12-14.

We are called to be who we are in Christ Jesus, thus having the disposition of such. Therefore, our new and permanent source of joy and peace would be found only where “Christ is.” Col. 3:1-2.

We are to “take off” our “old self with its practices” and “put on the new self, which is being renewed in the image of Christ.” Col. 3:3-11.

“How unseemly it is for us as Christians to be “dressed” like something we’re not while we declare to ‘put on’ the beautiful wardrobe the Lord has provided for us.”

Compassion-Matt.9:36. “Clothe yourselves with compassion.”

A genuine mark of Christlikeness is to be stirred in our hearts by what others are going through. To be moved in our hearts by the inner battles with sin and guilt that people fight every day. Seeing in our hearts and spirit the confused and dark state of the lost and hurting.

Is it a struggle not to give up on someone who chooses to continue on the wrong path? Or goes down the same path the Lord had rescued them from before?

Rather than looking away from our horrible condition Jesus showed great compassion and even gave His life for us. How ungrateful it would be of one to wear the clothes of insensitivity and self-righteousness when the only reason we are in the family of God is because the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11.

Compassion- to favor, inward affection, pity, or sympathy. How great is our God!!!

The next garment we are to put on is “kindness,” which brings a warmth and softness to our spiritual appearance.

Kindness-favor, brotherly or sisterly affection, benevolence (an inclination to do good), charitable/giving.

The spirit of kindness gives the church that God blesses a very inviting atmosphere. What happens when the atmosphere is set by sour and bitter words and actions?

One of the magnetic qualities of Jesus was the kindness and ability to be considerate to all whom He met.

D.L. Moody once said, “The hardest thing for God to do was make a man kind.” Some memorize Scripture and understand Christian doctrine, but ruin their witness because they are unkind in the conversations and experiences with others.

We must be careful not to have an “edge” which makes one and his/her faith unattractive to the very people who need to be drawn to the Lord.

Unkindness can lead to many unnecessary battles. King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son and successor is a prime example. Let us always listen to the counsel of 2 Chron. 10:7 and Proverbs 11:17.

God uses kindness to draw people to Himself and us to each other. 1 Thess. 5:15.

Is it difficult to be kind to ungrateful and wicked people?

“Our Lord will help us to show the world how deep and true His love for us is by empowering us to be kind to everyone we meet.” For “love is kind.” 1 Cor. 13:4. And we may know “our reward will be great.” Luke 6:35.

“Clothe yourselves with …….humility” is the next instruction from God’s Word.

“This humble mindset gives us a low opinion of ourselves, and only the Holy Spirit can provide us with such a garment. Real humility, not the feigned kind, begins when we think and feel about ourselves according to the truth.”

Who were we before we met Christ? What did we do?

Who are we now? What are we to do?

May we always remain dependent and submissive, being thankful and grateful to God, expressing this toward others and remind ourselves constantly of the wonderful cross and Christ’s example for us.

“Just the simple truth about God, ourselves, and life is all we need. All we have to do is ponder the truth about our failures and sin, our incredible limitations, and the fragile nature of life itself.”

Matt. 11:29—wouldn’t it be foolish for us to be proud? What happens to a prideful person?

“The first secret to receiving guidance from God is a humble spirit.”

Psalm 25:9—we must guard against arrogance and feelings of superiority as to not grieve the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 5:5—“How wonderful it is to be among believers who, rather than fighting for prominence as the world does, desiring only to serve one another in lowliness and love.” Therefore let us encourage and help one another to clothe and walk in humility towards one another for the sake of Christ. Phillipians 2:6-8.

Humility-absolute dependence, possessing nothing and receiving all things from God.

Next we are to put on “gentleness.” J.B. Phillips translated gentleness as “the grace to accept life.”

Jesus is the example of gentleness we are to follow. Think of the leaders on the edge plotting His demise, the fickle masses so slowly understanding the truth He taught, and the inner circle of the twelve disciples arguing amongst themselves who was the greatest. Unjust attitudes and accusations dogged His every step, yet He remained gentle and serene.

Is it different with us when we encounter difficulties?

Thankfully God can deliver us from carnal ways and help us to greatly accept things. Psalm 37:23.

Next is Patience

“Patience is like a perfectly matched mate to gentleness and involves being long-suffering with others.”

What are some extreme circumstances which have required a “divine” patience?

Col. 3:13, Eph. 4:2, and 1 Thess. 5:14.

How important is patience? Why?

How long has God long-suffered for us? Is He still waiting?

Have you ever experienced someone being patient and long-suffering with you? How much did that mean to you? How did this help?

“Each of us has experienced God’s love in a way that should soften our hearts and make us sweet and long-suffering, even toward the unkindest of people.”

“Oh, let us run quickly to the throne of grace so we can ‘put off’ the horrible rags of resentment against anyone and ‘put on’ the patience of Christ.”

1 Tim. 1:15-16 and Eph. 4:32.

I am forever awestruck when I think of the price our Lord and Savior paid to clothe us with such beautiful and glorious garments of grace and the love He has for us.

Therefore brothers and sisters let us all follow Him in Col. 3:14.

Prayer and Thanksgiving