When I was a member of a Vineyard church I decided to start dressing for church; instead of wearing jeans and a top.  I began wearing church clothes, garments that are traditionally seen as acceptable to wear in the House of God.  Like many churches Vineyard was a “come as you are” place, offering coffee and donut that you could take inside the ‘sanctuary’ and partake of during the  one hour service; I began to think it was a too casual. The more I studied Scripture, independent of the messages I heard at that church, I became increasingly dissatisfied with the entire process.  I left that church because I developed a respect for God that warranted a greater respect; God is not a casual friend.

For some people church became an opportunity to dress ‘better than’ which caused embarrassment and shame to people who could not afford better garments. If all you have is a T-shirt and shorts, that is what you wear until you can do better. Dressing better than someone else does not get you into heaven or keep you out of hell. Changing the dress code as if God cannot help his children dress better is indicative of a church that does not trust God.

I do not think it is a sin for women to wear pants. I do think some clothing women wear today or motivated by the need for attention.  I own baggy sweat pants because I once went to a gym and I once went to physical therapy and I discovered that wearing a skirt was a challenge.

Romans 12:1 (KJV)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Romans chapter 12 verse one instructs the believer to present their bodies as a living sacrifice; 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 16 states we are the temple of God. It is a reasonable service, act, to present our bodies acceptable to our Creator knowing that His Spirit is in us, Believers.

If all you own is t-shirts and shorts present yourself to God in His house of worship in your best t-shirt and shorts but if you have clothing that is better where that. Your Sunday best should be your best clothing, IN MY OPINION.

In one of my jobs I had, my employer took the entire team out to a five-star restaurant for Christmas. My coworker did not have anything to wear so she went to the thrift store and purchased a wonderful outfit.  I have shopped in the thrift store as has people who make far more money than me! I write this to say; nice clothing is affordable. Many people invest more in an outfit to wear out to a special event than to church.

QUESTION: If you knew Jesus would manifest in the flesh at your church, would you go there dressed the way you dress now?  

Matthew 22:11-12 (KJV)
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.

When you go to church, are you dressed to see the King of Kings  or are you dressed as if you are going over to a friends house to relax? Why are you not wearing your wedding garment?  

Written by: Marsha L Floyd
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