The Christian’s Clothing I. Introduction A. Our clothes say a lot about us 1. As humans, we all wear clothes, and different types of clothes at different times 2. These days we have the opportunity to choose from a lot of different types, styles, and quality of clothing 3. For generations what clothes were worn in which contexts would be used to define the quality of a person’s raising and pedigree, their social class and standing, and how well or poorly they comported to cultural customs 4. To this day clothes are types of “uniforms,” communicating the types of people with whom we associate, our standing in those groups, and how well or poorly we decide to conform to various conditions, situations, or subcultures B. Clothing, therefore, is often contextual 1. Many have had the nightmare of showing up at an important event in no clothes, insufficient clothing, or dressed inappropriately! 2. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt underdressed? Overdressed? In which you picked the wrong type of clothing to wear? 3. There are all sorts of customary “rules” about what should be worn when in what context so that a person can fit in to the group or situation! 4. If we want to find success or opportunity in being part of that group or situation, our clothes must fit the circumstances! C. Thus, as Christians, we do well to consider the Christian’s clothing 1. According to Scripture, how should Christians be clothed? 2. How do we best conform to God and His purposes so we can fit in to His Kingdom and among His people? II. The Christian’s Clothing According to the New Testament A. We do well to consider the New Testament and to see what clothing God would have us put on and wear B. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 1. In terms of physical, substantive clothing, the New Testament speaks explicitly only in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 2. Women are to adorn themselves in kosmio clothing, that which is orderly or appropriate, and not with conspicuous consumption in terms of clothes, hairstyles, and jewelry (1 Timothy 2:9) 3. Paul’s emphasis even here is not on clothing per se but on the character traits of shamefacedness/modesty and self-control, making sure that women are behaving according to godliness, manifesting good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10) C. 1 Peter 3:3-6 1. Paul’s witness is confirmed by Peter 2. Peter does not want Christian women to consider their clothing primarily in terms of what they are putting on every day (and especially not the same fineries as Paul mentioned), but primarily in terms what they are “putting on” the “inner man”: a meek and quiet spirit, subject to their husbands, exemplifying chaste behavior (1 Peter 3:2-6) D. The rest of the New Testament bears out this emphasis: the Christian’s clothing has everything to do with their character and what they “put on” inside 1. 1 Peter 5:5: all Christians are to clothe themselves with humility 2. Colossians 3:10-14: when Christians have put to death their “earthly members,” they are to “put on” the new man who is renewed in the knowledge of God in Christ, and thus Christians are to “put on” a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, and above all, love (cf. also Ephesians 4:24) 3. Romans 13:12, Ephesians 6:10-18: Christians are to “put on” the “armor of light”; Paul speaks of this armor as the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness of Gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of Spirit 4. Romans 13:14: in short, we must “put on” Jesus so that we do not make provision for fleshly desires and lusts E. The Christian’s clothing is understood primarily in terms of character; why? III. The Inner Man and the Outer Man A. God, for good reason, emphasizes the “inner” man over the “outer” man B. Matthew 7:17-19: we are known by our fruits C. Mark 7:15-23: a man is not defiled by foods, etc., but by the evil of the heart which comes out in attitudes and behavior D. Jesus assures us that God will provide for our clothing (Matthew 6:28-32); His great concern is whether we have light or darkness within us (Matthew 6:22-23)! E. Thus we are to understand that the “outer man” reflects the “inner man”; if the “inner man” is well clothed, the “outer man” will follow; if the “inner man” is poorly clothed, the “outer man” will follow 1. If we are humble, meek, modest, and self-controlled, will we not seek to dress in ways that reflect humility, meekness, modesty, and self-control (1 Timothy 2:9-10)? 2. But if we are sensual, lascivious, full of lusts and passions, rebellious, etc., will not our dress reflect the same (Galatians 5:19-21, Colossians 3:5-9)? F. Such is true in all things, not just clothing: our attitudes and behavior, the “outer man,” all exemplify and portray what is going on with the “inner man”; if the inner man is light, the outer will be as well; if the outer man is darkness, it has come from the inner man (Matthew 6:22-23)! G. Thus the Christian must seek proper clothing from Jesus who will give it to those who seek Him and His ways (Revelation 3:18)! IV. The Christian’s Clothing A. So what is the clothing a Christian should wear? B. Christians must be clothed with humility, not thinking too highly of themselves and properly valuing themselves in light of others, and meekness, maintaining their strength under control (1 Peter 5:5) C. Modesty and shamefacedness require the Christian to do what is honorable in the sight of all people and present themselves without need for shame, not intentionally drawing attraction to themselves by their appearance or conduct (Romans 12:17, 1 Timothy 2:9) D. The Christian’s clothing seeks the best for others, shows compassion for their conditions and struggles, and proves longsuffering and forgiving toward them, according to how God has been loving, compassionate, longsuffering, and forgiving toward us (Colossians 3:10-14) E. In another sense the Christian’s clothing is the armor God has given them to stand firm against evil: faith, righteousness, truth, proclamation of the Gospel, salvation, the Word of God (Romans 12:14, Ephesians 6:10-18) F. Thus Christians are to “wear” the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit, having “taken off” the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-24); they have “taken off” the old man of sin and have “put on” the new man in Christ (Colossians 3:1-15) V. Why We Put on the Christian’s Clothing A. We have seen that the Christian’s clothing is the characteristics of godliness and the fruit of the Spirit in contrast to the works of the flesh and earthly passions B. We have seen that if we clothe ourselves with the attributes of holiness, our attitudes, decisions, and conduct will reflect holiness; if we maintain the clothing of the old man of sin, our attitudes, decisions, and conduct will manifest sin! C. So why should we put on the Christian’s clothing? D. We wear the Christian’s clothing so God will clothe us in the resurrection! 1. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 2. We yearn for the day when the corruptible will put on incorruptibility, the mortal will put on immortality, that we will be fully clothed with heavenly glory 3. Yet that day will only be joy for us if we have already put on Christ and the clothing of a Christian (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Revelation 20:11-15)! E. If we refuse to take off corruptibility and worldliness, how can God clothe us with incorruptibility and immortality for life with Him in the resurrection? F. Therefore, let us all put on the Christian’s clothing in all situations, manifesting Christ in love, compassion, humility, meekness, forgiveness, longsuffering, etc., so that we can put on incorruptibility and imperishability in the resurrection! G. Invitation (Galatians 3:27): we can only put on the Christian’s clothing, and afterward the “clothing” of immortality in the resurrection, if we first have put on Christ in baptism! Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Paul does have clothing advice for women, but even then his primary concern is with character. The Christian’s outward clothing reflects his or her inward clothing. May we be properly clothed in Christ! 2: Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:12-14). Paul sets forth the Christian’s clothing. He is to put on the new man in Christ, manifesting the positive traits of the fruit of the Spirit. If his character reflects these aspirations, his conduct will follow. May we wear the Christian’s clothing! 3: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). We must put on the Christian’s clothing now if we want to “put on” the resurrection body later! In the resurrection the corruptible body will “put on” incorruption, and the mortal will “put on” immortality. May we strive for the resurrection and the putting on of immortality! 4: For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). The Christian’s clothing, in a word, is Christ. We must manifest the characteristics and thus the behavior of Christ. If we are Christ’s, then in the end, we will share in His resurrection. Therefore may we all put on Christ in baptism, be saved, and obtain the resurrection of life!