Dress With Respect

When I saw the President of Ukraine sitting in the Oval Office with the whole world watching, I couldn’t help but notice how out of place he appeared in the clothes he wore. He looked like someone going for a jog. He knew how important this meeting was. He knew how the President and everyone else would dress. His outward appearance said something right away about his attitude.

My mind went back immediately to Joseph. When the king of Egypt heard that he could interpret dreams, he sent for him. Joseph was in prison. Now he was about to appear before the most powerful man on earth. Did he walk into the palace of the king in the clothes he was wearing? No. The Bible says “he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh” (Gen. 41:14). This king expected a respectful demeanor and Joseph was on the same page.

Over forty years ago, I heard older preachers discuss dressing for worship. I never heard anyone say a person’s clothes had to be expensive or look as nice as someone else’s. But they did answer the question with a piercing question: If you were going to appear before the President of the United States, how would you dress?

I have never seen a church announcing that every person who comes to worship must wear fine clothes. But I do see churches making a point about coming to their services in casual dress. Why? To appeal to a culture that is casual about almost everything. Now church services are so casual, so laid back, and so carefree that the fear of God is gone. Preachers tell jokes and elicit applause instead of preaching the gospel. Prayers are like casual talks with a buddy instead of reverent pleas before the throne of God. And, perhaps worst of all, the message to young people is that worship is more about them than God.

I doubt that any of these preachers who are so casual about worship will crack jokes to people standing beside them on the day of judgment. It is high time to take seriously these words: “Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29).

Kerry

West End church of Christ • March 9, 2025