THE TRUTH IN PRINT, Vol. 8, Issue 8
A Publication of the Valley
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“What went you out… to see?”
By Bob W. Lovelace
In this brief study we are first going to look at what Jesus said about clothing, and then we’ll look at some things Paul said that God expects from each of us.
I. Jesus on clothing,
A. “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? (Matthew
What is the lesson?
The lesson is on “anxiety” not fashion. The great lesson here is how God
provides for His children who put Him first. Jesus said in this context, “ And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies
of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these. [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? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall
we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32]
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for
your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things. [33] But seek ye first the
Question: Are your children getting “this” lesson on dress?
B. Matthew 7:15. Jesus used the word “clothing” as a “metaphor” and warning against those who claimed to be religious but were destructive false teachers. Here Jesus put the emphasis upon their “works.” One application to such works would be that their clothing, by worldly fleshly standards, can give the appearance of one’s being “true.”
C. More lessons are found in Matt. 11:7-10 concerning John the baptizer. In this text we notice that the people went out into the solitary places (desert) to “look at John” (Matt. 11:7). The word means “to behold, look closely at, visit” (Strong’s Help). How did John come? “And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locust and wild honey” (Matthew 3:4).
Do you think that John was practicing “righteousness” to be noticed by man, as were the hypocrites? Jesus said of such, “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments” (Matt. 23:5). No, John wasn’t “that” kind! That kind put extra effort into “appearing” righteous. We certainly see that kind today in the often referred to “religious” world. Their “fashion” (style) they put on has a resident meaning in it! As they parade themselves in long gowns, fancy clothing, etc. their dress is symbolic and cries out to their audience, “I am holy before God!” Perhaps they’d meet the expectations of those who went out to see John. But John was not bent to their expectations nor did he say what they wanted to hear! What “school” did John go to in the wilderness to prepare to tell that generation of vipers to bring forth fruits meet for repentance? Above all we learn that these vipers who were skilled in identifying their own holy “signs” of dress (Matt. 23:5), yet being so unskilled in listening to God’s word and identifying “proper” conduct, rejected John’s baptism against themselves (Lk. 7:30).
II. Jesus taught you put clothes on the
body. Paul said you use the body in your service to the Lord (
Romans 12:1-2 (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. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
A. What does “a living sacrifice” holy, acceptable to God mean? It means what Paul said in Rom. 6 as he spoke about their baptism into Christ, and their newness of life following that baptism. Hear Paul,
“For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:10-14 (KJV)
B. What does “your reasonable service” mean? “Reasonable” is a word that means “rationale, or logic.” To
yield yourself to God’s standard of righteousness
(Rom.
C. How does this apply to “do not be conformed to this world”? (Rom. 12:2) Thayer’s definition of “conformed" is: “1) to conform one’s self (i.e. one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern, (fashion one’s self according to).”
Let’s consider again the worldliness in the religious community of the Pharisees and Scribes. Since Jesus was referring to their “works,” one application of the wolves in sheep’s “clothing” is that by “worldly” fleshly standards the person’s dress can give the appearance of their being “holy.” Thus we see the danger attached to placing too much significance, even worldly “religious” significance, to dress. Moreover, their dress “works” were done in order that they might be seen of men in order that they might receive what? Of course, that they might receive the “praise” of men everywhere they went! To such who received “that” praise they so earnestly sought Jesus said, “You have your reward!” Hear Jesus, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. [2] Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:1-2 (KJV)).
Beloved, God’s word does not require that we match one another in our attire. Is there a particular item of clothing that men must don in the kingdom of Christ that identifies them as holy and acceptable before God? I think not! While one might be accepted in “fine” apparel (James 2:1-3), another’s might not be so fine. But Paul “would” have all men “...lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” (I Tim. 2:8). We are to be free of murmuring and disputing (see Phil. 2:14).
And he would have the women dressed in modest apparel “with” the qualities of character that show regard for others and manifest self control. While we understand that the woman’s dress is to be that of “modest apparel” (I Tim. 2:9, nkjv; nasb: “with proper clothing”), they are not required to all look alike. “Modest” means: 1) well arranged, seemly, modest (Thayer’s definition.).
Here are Thayer’s
definitions for “propriety” and “moderation”:1. Propriety, nkjv (kjv: shamefastness;
nasb: modestly): “1) a sense of shame or honour,
modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect.” 2. Moderation, nkjv (kjv:
sobriety; nasb: discretely): “1) soundness of mind 2)
self-control, sobriety.” Such qualities
of character are very precious. Hear Peter, “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” ( I Peter 3:4).
To learn more call,
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Valley Church of Christ, 2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ. 85364.
Church building:
(928) 539-7089.
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