Dress code

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1271 Location: US

When I was a young girl and a young woman, there was a dress code, perhaps not spoken but abided by none the less.

Women dressed conservatively but nicely. Women wore dresses or blouses and skirts and dressy sandals, shoes or boots. Most wore little or no make up and if they wore jewelry, it was not flashy.

Men dressed in either suit pants or semi-casual pants, many wore jackets and cotton shirts and those that did not wear jackets wore at least a nice wrinkle-free cotton shirt with a collar and most wore ties.

Today, in many churches, people wear jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, halter tops... you name it, I've probably seen a parishioner wearing it.

I have heard the argument that 'God doesn't care what you look like.' I have also heard 'some folks may not have much money so they cannot afford to wear anything but levis and tee shirts.'

Maybe God doesn't care how you dress but if you dress better to go out dancing, to go to work, to a funeral, a wedding or to an event where you are speaking or being honored then why would you wear levis, halters, tee shirts and tennies to the house of God? What if He considers it a sign of disrespect to not make an effort to look reasonably nice at church? Many workplaces have dress codes and many employers consider violating the dress code a sign of disrespect.

As for not being able to afford clothing for church, I have personally shopped at second hand stores and garage sales and come home with some very nice dresses, skirts and blouses. A decent pair of shoes can be picked up at any box store or national discount shoe store chain, many times on sale for very little. Besides, levis, tennis shoes etc... cost money. If a person can afford those items certainly poverty is not an issue. Many churches and other charitable organizations in many communities also receive clothing donations and do not charge or charge very little for them.

What has happened to the dress code in churches? Is it right to have a dress code? Is it right NOT to have a dress code?

Love Luv
_________________
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Biblegateway Christian Viewpoints

lone-traveler · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject:

Jam 2:1 ¶ My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.
Jam 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Jam 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Jam 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Jam 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jam 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Jam 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Jam 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jam 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

Mat 6:25 ¶ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

I think what the Lord is saying is that you shouldn't make it a priority concerning the outward appearance. But that the priority is what's being fed and clothed on the inside.

If someone shows up at church wearing shorts and a tank top..does this offend you?
or work boots and a hard hat?
maybe they just don't make it their priority...who are they trying to please man or God?

Do you think God is offended by the clothes we wear or don't wear?

I think what matters is shame or to be ashamed, or to be shamed. If you are comfortable coming to God just as you are, then do others have a right to make you feel ashamed because of your lack of dress code?

But yes I agree in some parts that respect for others weeknesses for being offended in what one wears..if it is at all possible, then that one should make an effort not to put a stumblingblock before others.But if it isn't possible and this is the only raiment they have, should they be judged according to the clothes they wear or don't wear?

If God is not a respector of persons according to the outside of the body...should we be?

Mar 7:1 ¶ Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
Mar 7:2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
Mar 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash [their] hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
Mar 7:4 And [when they come] from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, [as] the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
Mar 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me.
Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Deu 1:16 And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear [the causes] between your brethren, and judge righteously between [every] man and his brother, and the stranger [that is] with him.
Deu 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it.

1Pe 1:13 ¶ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe 1:22 ¶ Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24 For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Jesus didn't seem to mind eating with dirty hands...I don't think he'll worry about jeans and t-shirts..and old worn out shoes.. Wink

seious question...
why do you think people get offended by what other people wear or don't wear?
why do people get offended by what someone eats or what kind of job they have..or any other reason?

where does being offended come from?

why were the Jews offended because Jesus ate with unwashen hands? they didn't have to eat out of his hands..or did they... Idea

Mat 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Mat 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
Mat 15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
Mat 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Mat 15:20 These are [the things] which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

kind of jives with what is said in James:

Jam 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Jam 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Jam 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

it's the thoughts that proceed out of the heart that is spoken with the mouth that defiles the man...

not the clothes or the dirty hands of the one wearing them, but of the one judging him... Wink

sorry..I rambled good this time... Rolling Eyes

hugs Luv,

lone
_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

atoz · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:29 am Post subject: Re: Dress code

atoz · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:45 am Post subject:

Lt, you addressed the MAIN point about Habitude of Mind most xlntly.

LT:

lone-traveler · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:13 am Post subject:

atoz,
so cool..the wedding garments!

He came in in his own righteousness which are as filthy rags..
He was not clothed upon with the Lord's righteousness.

He was naked.. Shocked

Deu 9:4 Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.

Deu 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Deu 9:6 Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou [art] a stiffnecked people.

It's interesting how when the Lord asks him how did you get in here without a wedding garment..and he was speechless...

Psa 71:15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness [and] thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers [thereof].

He was brought in but not allowed to remain:

Isa 26:10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, [yet] will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

Isa 61:10 ¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

how is it you came in without a wedding garment?

2Cr 5:1 ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2Cr 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
2Cr 5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
2Cr 5:4 For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

AH with our house which is from heaven... Idea

the wedding garment:

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

And she was granted to be arrayed in the rightousness of saints..not our own righteousness but the righteousness with which the Lord clothes us with himself.

How is it you came in without a wedding garment..
you didn't come through the door..you must have crept in someother way.. Wink

sorry Luv..
just checkin out the wardrobe... Very Happy

hugs
lone
_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

atoz · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject:

LT,

Pray tell: what color is the Robe of your Ward?smile
The Colour of Love, I pre-sume, Dr. LT?!smile

Under Color of Love,
atoz

atoz · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject:

lone-traveler · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject:

What color is Love?

Is it a coat of many colors?
Is it the colors of the raindbow?
Is it Solid Gold or Pure Silver?
Is it Black which absorbs the heat when it's cold?
Is it White which deflects the heat when it's hot?

Ah..but the color of love is all these. and when they are all brought together
they create the Pure Color of Truth which is
Beautiful. Very Happy

_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 7005 Location: USA

This post brings to mind a question a friend asked the other day:

23. What did Sunday Best (clothing) look like in the first churches? Was it any different that Thursday Best?
_________________
JP's Mind - my blog

Ben Chalfant · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

I vote yes for dress code. Isn't it obvious?

1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

God is Holy, therefore we should dress holy, not just in church services, but every day!

(Deuteronomy 22:5) The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

The Bible is very specific about what we wear and don't wear. So yes, definitely should have a dress code folks!

God Bless You!

Luvnlife · Lion King Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 1271 Location: US

You all have some really good points but my question really does not cast judgement on the poor. I have worn nice dresses to church that I purchased for a dollar or two. Those wearing levis and T-Shirts may have even paid more than that for their attire. Many places of employment consider it a slap in the face, a sign of disrespect to dress in levis and T-Shirts. How many weddings, funerals, fund raisers etc... have you been to where people dressed in T-Shirts or levis? If a person dresses in semi-casual to formal attire to attend these events, why would they do less in the house of the Lord? It's not really a question of money at all. It's ... well, right now, it's just a nagging question.

I read what Atoz quoted in his post not too long ago also:
(See Matt 22:1-14 & 31,32 and notice particularly verses 11-14 which I have posted here again for consideration) 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Coupled with Ben's remarks, I lean toward dressing (not expensively) but conservatively and in good taste. I occasionally wear pants to church but only as part of a womens pant suit. I purchased two pant suits for under $5 a piece. I'm not looking down at people for being poor but instead question why they don't dress the way folks used to dress to go to church since it's not a matter of poor vs rich.

Love, Luv Very Happy

_________________
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Biblegateway Christian Viewpoints

Ben Chalfant · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject:

lone-traveler · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject:

Hi Luv,

This is me...
I don't go to a church built with hands and made of brick or stone. I go to the church of God in spirit and in truth.
I give no thought really to my physical attire, but give much thought to my hearts attire and whether I come before him fully dressed in humility and sobriety but not with shame. I am fully clothed by his mercy and his love and because these clothes come from him, I am clothesd perfectly the way he chooses me to be.

And as far as functions go...well, I don't.
My clothes are washed and clean to wear when they have holes or are worn I use them for work until they are unwearable...no one sees me anyways..LOL

I don't think the truck I ride in 24/7 cares to much what I wear..and my husband is in the same boat as I am.

However, If we go to dinner with the folks, then I remove the worn and torn clothes and put on "unholy clothes"..LOL
that way no one else is offended by how I appear.

God made me naked from the womb...anything I put on only covers the body..it doesn't do anything for the nakedness of ones heart.
But it avoids putting a stumblingblock or an offense against my neighbours..

So, if you attend places or events where a particular attire is required so it doesn't cause offense to others by causing them to judge you according to what you wear..
and if its good for you and your conscience agrees with a particular style of dress..
then one should be fully convinced in their own mind, and have faith in whatever it is they do.

You have no need that any man teach you...your conscience will bear you witness..
and this is where your answer truly is.

It's not about the money... Wink

hugs
lone
_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

lone-traveler · Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:15 pm Post subject:

Hi Ben,

hey did you know men in the OT wore skirts? Wink

go figure.. Rolling Eyes

_________________
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Pondering · King of the Jungle Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 1512