Dress for Respect

preachinjesus wrote quoted 1 Tim: 2:9 and pointed out that the emphasis is on modesty. I agree. I don't know of any Scripture that backs up the we should dress up to go to church claim.

 

I'm not saying anyone has to dress UP to go to church, but we should dress like we are children of God and no longer a part of this world. Don't dress like you are going on a picnic or to a sporting event. This is God's house, not the ballpark. In 1st. Timothy, Paul said women are to dress modestly. Lots of people in the church these days don't even know what modest means. They are so used to dressing like the world does, they forget where they are.
I don't wear anything to work or anywhere else in public that I couldn't wear to church.

 

Modesty does not men Dressing like Brittney Spears, or Jessica Simpson, But to dress in a way that looks respecful, not sexy, or with worldly trends, wearing your favorit circular music shirt, or budwiser advertisments, or mini skirt, or tank top, is definately a no-no. In hot weather I wear shorts that go down to my knee, usualy made by Dockers, or some other company that makes Dress clothes, and a Polo/Golf shirt or button down short sleave shirt, that is a little edgy, but in my humble opinion, still oppropriate. I don't think tee shirts would be considered appropriate either, we don't have to go to church looking like Rockefellers, but we should reflect a Christian appearance, that is not the same as the worlds (Clean-cut). May I remind you we are going to the House of the Lord, not some night club, we are not going there to pick up members of the oppisate sex, but to worship god, we are not going to put on a fashion show, but to keep Gods comandment to keep the sabbath holy.

 

I try to buy my church clothes somewhere besides Wal-Mart, and mostly on sale. What we are saying is that people should be dressed in a modest, clean and neat way.

If "modest" is the aim, then Wal-Mart should be the better choice to buy, as they are cheaper and simpler.

I'm not saying anyone has to dress UP to go to church, but we should dress like we are children of God and no longer a part of this world. Don't dress like you are going on a picnic or to a sporting event.

Interestingly, when we look at old films of ballgames from the 1960's and before, most people in the stands did 'dress up;' men wearing ties, and coats depending on the weather, and women in dresses. For picnics, you have to look at photos from further back like before WWII, but those that old often also show people with ties and dresses and hats. If this demonstrates anything, it is that people dress according to worldly trends, and some environmnets are less apt to change pre-established customs than are others. And church-- depending on the particular one-- parallels these rather closely. In 1940, church, picnic, ball park-- at all 3 people would be 'dressed up'; suits and dresses. By the 70's, it's unlikely many picnickers or sports fans are dressed up, and many churches no longer treat anyone like scum if they don't wear a coat and tie or a dress; some churches did (and still do) consider dress more important than attendance, worship, and fellowship. The question can logically be asked: If church is supposed to be so different from picnics and sports events, why did churches not require people to dress differently from those activities decades ago?

Simply put, tradition is a hard thing for stubborn people to let go of. And the more 'churchy' people are, the more stubborn they are. So then they create these avenues to convince themselves that the traditions they can't let go of are biblical/spiritual/moral mandates. Besides dress, this is seen in 'KJVO', hymns as opposed to contemporary music, and specialized ministries [single adults, blended families, apartment visitation/extention].

May I remind you we are going to the House of the Lord

"However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says" (Acts 7:48).

...but to keep Gods comandment to keep the sabbath holy.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day (Colossians 2:16).

 

Alcott states: "If "modest" is the aim, then Wal-Mart should be the better choice to buy, as they are cheaper and simpler."


But Wal-Mart clothes are by far not the most modest in appearance. You pay for what you get and at Wal-Mart that is certainly true. Less material - lower price. Apparently you've never looked at women's clothes in Wal-Mart. There are jeans and shorts and very short tops and skirts. Wal-Mart caters to kids, teens and young thin women. There is not much for older women and certainly not for larger women who want to dress with modesty and a little dignity.

Wal-Mart clothes are what I call "play clothes" for young people.

By the way, we aren't talking about what people used to wear to the ballpark or the billiard parlor. Back then everyone went dressed up everywhere. They wouldn't dare be caught under-dressed. If they went out for a stroll in the park, they had to be dressed to the nines. Like I said earlier, we're not talking tuxs and evening gowns here.

I have to assume that you are saying we should be allowed to wear whatever we want to church, whether it be shorts and tank tops, thigh high mini skirts and low cut blouses or "Daisy Dukes".
For the men, I see baggy shorts and stained tee shirts with dirty sneakers. A beer in the left hand and the tv remote in the right hand completes the picture.

Whatever happened to self respect and dignity. Oh, I know. They went the way of meekness, godliness, holiness and honor. They were forgotten when people decided they didn't need God telling them what to do anymore.

All I'm saying here is that when we become Chrisitans, we become a new creation. We don't want to act and dress like unsaved people. And, yes, we ourselves are the church. People should be able to look at us at all times and tell that we are God's and not of the world.

 

So true, Target too, as a father of an 11 year old girl it is so hard to find modest clothes for her to wear now a days , I cant even find a dress that doesn't look like she's dressing up to go to a sleazy night club, I can't belive the stiyles that parents allow thier Kids to wear , letting them dress up like $2.00 hookers.
AMEN! SISTER DELLY!

 

AMEN AGAIN!!!!!!! That is the bottom line here.

 

Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whatsoever therefore shall break one of these commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Our Salvation may not be dependent on the laws, but living a life, thats in Gods will is. Its the differance between getting a First class ticket to heaven, or a coach seat, either is a good seat, but one is still better to have.

 

Matthew 12:4(KJV) How he entered into the house of God...

 

Excuse me?

I wear modest clothes around the house, but some of them are stained from cooking, gardening, etc. I save a few dresses (without stains) to wear to church.

Just because I can't afford new clothes all the time, to wear around the house, does NOT mean that I flaunt my body!!!

 

The problem is not that people wear shorts and t-shirts - or any specific type of clothing

It is modesty

The instant you say a certain type of clothing is evil - you stand on the edge - and often you have jumped off it.

Shorts and T-shirts can be modest - its called size

Ive still never figured out why women wear shirts that are so short that when they bend over that the shirt slides up - even dress shirts - and this is on the most "modest" women as well - or perhaps those grannies are tyring to make me sick, if so its working.


But back ot the point at hand - look at the title of the thread - dress for respect

Matthew 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Joel 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.


I think I can honestly say that if the person takes the effort to come to church in shorts

SHUT UP

views on modesty change with time - and while i may wish people would dress less provocatively

not our job - not our concern - its God's - leave it in His hands - and dont look - its a lesson ive learned.

 

You just contradicted yourself!

 

Al lcott I've been reading your replies and I agree with you 100%.
I would run from any church that seeks to put barriers between people and God....I can sure imagine that the 20ft surrounding John the Baptist was radiating God more so than 100 of those so called churches today...and look how he dressed

I also agree with your comments on snobbery. I do believe as I'm sure you do, that women should'nt be wearing low cut tops and low cut jeans with {snipped} exposed to church, but thats more out of not wanting to put images into the mens minds, but sending someone home to get changed?.....I can just see members of the sanhedrin doing the same thing

[ August 21, 2004, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: dianetavegia ]