Volume 38   Number 5                                                                                     January 1996

It has been said that "clothes make the man." Though the statement is usually made about our physical clothes, the Word of God teaches that it is true spiritually as well. Souls who are naked or improperly attired in the sight of God will not be allowed through the gates of Heaven!

When God gave Eve to Adam in the garden of Eden, they "were bath naked and not ashamed." In the innocent days before sin entered the world, they did not need clothing. But the picture changed for them when they disobeyed God and ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (Genesis 3:7)

Our first parents not only knew they were naked, but they tried to cover their shame (Revelation 3:18) with aprons of human design. Their creation must not have been adequate in the sight of our Creator, for He made them coats of animal skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21). Here then is the story of man; he becomes naked when he falls short of God's glory through sin, then the Lord provides an atonement (covering) for the sin. We either accept the righteous wardrobe of God's choice or we go about the hopeless business of designing our own clothing and trying to make our own futile fashion statement.

The following two scriptures are sound teaching and ought to serve as a reliable dress code for the children of the King. Let them sink into our hearts and determine our choice of clothes:

I Timothy 2:9, 10: "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame Shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works."

I Peter 3:3-6: "Whose adorning let it not he that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair; and of wearing of gold, or of putting on apparel; but [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling hurt lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."

These two passages teach us that women (and the same principle applies to men) must be clothed with good works. While we do not neglect our physical appearance, we do not become obsessed with it either, so that we may place the greater importance on our spiritual appearance. Instead of being remembered for gaudy or indecent clothing, people ought to remember us for what we do. Our good works should be seen by men, so that they "may glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). How do people think of you?

The child of God must also be "clothed with humility" (I Peter 5:5). This is precisely in harmony with what the apostle Peter said about being "adorned" with a "meek and quiet spirit" (I Peter 3:3, 4). "Meek" means "mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness." "Humility" means "modesty, lowliness of mind." Jesus wore it daily. We get it from His closet because He teaches it to us (Matthew 11:29). When people look at you, they should be able to see you wearing humility just as plainly as they can see your shirt, pants, dress, or shoes. The closer you are to Christ, the less people will see of you and the more they will see of Him.

But humility does not mean we should wear rags or dress like a bum. Modest apparel shows thought and consideration for others without being a distraction. "Modest" means "well arranged, seemly." When we attend a funeral or a wedding, most of us try to dress in a "well-arranged, seemly" fashion, and rightly so. Why would anyone expect Jesus to settle for less? Do not dress in the assembly in away that says "I don't care", or that the service of the Lord is "contemptible." How would you dress if you were going to eat with the President? "Offer it now unto thy governor, will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? Saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 1:8)

"No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service," is the rule at many establishments in our country, and it is also the rule in the Kingdom of Heaven. When God provides a protective breastplate of righteousness (Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14) and the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) for our feet, what excuse do we have for wearing anything else?

The parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14 sums up the divine wardrobe in a Person. The Designer's Clothing with God's label on it is Christ, in all of His beauty and splendor! (Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27) He looks better on you than anything you can buy at Wal-Mart! We wear Jesus when we believe in Him and obey His commandments. Any other garment of our own design is a filthy rag to God, no matter how good it looks to you or your neighbors, and you won't get past the gates of heaven in such shoddy material!