October 16, 2022

Romans 14: 13-22 (NIV)

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.  Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. . . . If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. . . . So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.

In our world today, there are plenty of people trying to seize the authority of God Himself, and make the rules by which men should live.*

In my opinion, there is such a thing as inappropriate attire for church. I say inappropriate because I don’t have exact criteria for what constitutes appropriate, only the opposite of it. I say it’s my opinion because God doesn’t really address a church attendance dress code. I believe that whatever fashion guidelines we might find in the Bible, they refer to what’s proper and improper no matter where you are.

The big controversial issue that Paul is tackling here has to do with clean versus unclean food. That’s not a subject we tend to get riled up about, but we could apply his admonitions to any other matter of opinion among church members. (I did a paper in college in which I substituted rock music for the food controversy.) As Christians, we follow Christ, who is the only way to salvation. Perhaps our “rightness” about the truth has precipitated our slide into self-righteousness about our opinions. Whatever the cause, it’s not pretty!

I used to be more passionate in my views on appropriate church attire – especially for those who are up front leading in worship. It wasn’t quite interfering with my ability to worship . . . but, two things happened to change my attitude. First was a video shown one Sunday morning before the sermon. It depicted a group of people who were meeting secretly, outside, in the woods, because their lives were at risk if they got caught worshipping. What difference does it make what they are wearing? I thought suddenly. They just want to worship. The second thing that happened was that I started praying about my opinion and my attitude. As I was writing this, it occurred to me that I didn’t even notice what the praise team was wearing last Sunday!

There is much more that could be said here if we had the space. So, read Romans chapter 14 for yourself. Read it prayerfully. Ask God to show you clearly the differences between matters of opinion and matters of salvation. As Paul said, blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves – and, we might add, who does not condemn others by what he disapproves!

I don’t care what lost people wear to church. All I care about is that they are wearing righteousness when they leave.*