Shall We Wear Shorts?

Let me start off by saying that I HATE wearing a tie. I don’t like tying them. I don’t like putting them around my neck. I don’t like figuring if they are going to match with what I’m wearing. Unfortunately for me, in my area of work it seems that it is a requirement necessary for proper execution of my responsibilities. If I don’t wear a tie, somehow, I really don’t know how, I will be leading someone to his or her eternal damnation. So I guess you can see my dilemma. Don’t get me wrong, I do wear a tie, somehow it gives me more credibility, but I don’t enjoy it. 

Yet the issue here is not whether I should wear a tie or not. I have noticed that for many people wearing or not wearing a tie or even certain types of clothes to church is enough to cause a stir of apocalyptic proportions. 

So many of us are quick to judge a person for what they wear or don’t wear. We shun them completely from the grace of God because they are not presentable in the presence of God, according to our own interpretations. So my question is this - what is more important, that someone wear a tie, shorts, a suit, a t-shirt or that they are actively seeking God?

If you search the Bible to see what it says about dress there is one principle that appears more consistently than any other on that subject… Modesty (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3,4). Although the advice is mainly directed toward woman in its context, the principle is applicable to all today. The other texts that mention how people dressed teach us that our attire should be humble, plain and simple so that we draw attention away from us and toward Jesus. This is all I’m going to say about this principle because I believe there is a bigger issue at hand.

The issue that I speak about is clearly stated in James 2:1-4:

“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes.  If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Here is where the problem lies! I have seen this all to often with our churches. We somehow believe that the person who comes dressed up is of much more importance and relevance than the person that is not dressed up to the standards of appropriateness of our church-culture. 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God looks at the heart. When we come to church, we are not to parade around like a fashion show. We come to church to fellowship in the presence of our God and Savior. Yet it seems that in order to fellowship appropriately we must me dressed in a certain way. Church is to be a place where people feel welcomed and comfortable to approach God be it in a suit and tie or shorts and a t-shirt. It should be a place where encounters with Jesus are facilitated not blocked and made impossible to obtain.

Now, I’m not saying to be irreverent and disrespectful in dress. As a Christian I must understand that my outward appearance is a continuous witness of what I claim to believe and in whom I claim to believe. Clothes do not make the Christian but I have decided to follow Jesus and represent him even with my clothes.  Standards of dress change over time and are different from church to church, but we should avoid any style of dress that is offensive or sends a message opposing the church community's values.

Be careful to judge or condemn others for what they wear. We are in the business of leading others to Christ not to our customs and traditions. It is pharisaical to believe that rules are more important than the gospel. As for me, I will continue wearing a tie whether I like it or not, first off because my girlfriend believes I look good in them and second but most important because there is a larger principle at work and is more important than my personal desires, 1 Corinthians 9:19-22:

“Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”

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