Page 2 - Clothing | Truth & Tidings

greater value than that of the believer sit-
ting next to me. The shortcoming of rely-
ing on my personal, scripturally-derived
convictions to answer this question is that
their power is diminished and misdirected
when I try to apply them to another. The
weakness of following a tradition is that if
tradition is not linked with truth, it fades
away with passing generations. The only
guidance that can adequately and consis-
tently answer the questions of believers
across the centuries and the globe is found
in the principles provided to us in the
Scriptures. So when it comes to our per-
sonal dress, let us consider the principles of
modesty, identity, and liberty.
Modesty
The gathering of the early church must
have been something to behold. In Roman-
dominated and Pharisaically-influenced
Jeru­ s­ alem, laborers and lords, servants and purpose in the assembly is never to draw at-
scribes, fishermen and tax collectors all
came together on the first day of the week
to remember the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr.
Luke describes the attitude and atmo-
sphere of that day in the Acts: “And the
multitude of them that believed were of
one heart and of one soul: neither said any
of them that ought of the things which he
possessed was his own; but they had all
things common. And with great power
gave the apostles witness of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon
them all” (Acts 4:32-33).
My college professor brashly suggested
that this is evidence of early communism,
but the spiritual mind understands that
what was at work was something far greater
than the failing theories of mankind. True
conversion was being lived out in vibrant
Christianity that touched every aspect of
human life. In those days, there was mod-
esty that allowed the grace of the Great
2 TRUTH kTidings I Our Clothing
God to flow freely within the early church.
Do we desire to know more of this great
grace of God in our assemblies? We must
begin with modesty. Paul states, “I will
therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting
up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
In like manner also, that women adorn
themselves in modest apparel” (2Tim 2:8-
10).
Peter shares similar teaching when he
notes, “Whose adorning let it not be that
outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in
that which is not corruptible, even the orna-
ment 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 hus-
bands” (1Peter 3:3-5). Plainly stated, our
tention to ourselves, but always to encourage
others to behold the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we focus on each other, the flesh is
tempted to judge, to envy, and to be proud.
“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provok-
ing one another, envying one another” (Gal
5:26). When we behold the Savior, the be-
liever is provoked to spiritual service. “And
let us consider one another to provoke unto
love and to good works: Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one an-
other: and so much the more, as ye see the
day approaching” (Heb 10:24-25). In the
assembly, there is no simpler way to display
the meekness of self than in the modesty of
our dress. Without saying a word, we pro-
claim that we are seeking the grace of God
and not the glory of man when we wear
modest clothing that is matched by meek
hearts.