Roy

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, suggests that worrying about our physical clothing is a waste of time (Matt 6:25). He comments, with respect to John the Baptist, that it was not his fine clothing that attracted the crowds (Luke 7:25-26) but his substance; his prophecy. And the only time we meet Jesus wearing fine clothes (by human standards – the transfiguration is a rather different kettle of fish) is when he is being mocked by Herod (Luke 23:11).

Peter’s instruction on clothing is concerned with modesty rather formality (1 Peter 3:3). Timothy is instructed, by Paul, to be content if he has clothing – rather than to be concerned with the quality or formality of it (1 Timothy 6:8) . And perhaps the most forceful apostolic commentary on clothing is from James who basically suggests that if we have a church where people are judged on the quality of their togs, we’ve lost sight of the gospel (James 2:1-4).

Clothes have – since Eden – also been a way of hiding ourselves – a way of projecting an image that may be entirely false. They can easily become a veil to hide behind, rather than a revelation of the state of our hearts.

Thus I am very hesitant to comment on what people should (or shouldn’t) wear in the context of corporate worship, although Paul does instruct us to be careful about the way we conduct ourselves and to remember that we are being watched and judged by the surrounding world (1 Cor 14:23).

In summary, I think it’d be fair to say that our clothing should be the practical outworking of modesty and humility, but whether we should “dress up” or choose particular style is harder to say – whether it is right or not will surely depend upon the attitude of heart that inspires it, the impression it gives to those who see us and the impact it will have on those we go to worship with?