In This Issue

 

• APPROPRIATE ATTIRE

• TAKE YE AWAY THE STONE

• MORE INFORMATION...

APPROPRIATE ATTIRE

I am planning to attend my 40^th class reunion (class of 1966) next month in Arlington, Vermont. Our class had a 25^th reunion picnic in Arlington, 15 years ago. Rather than a separate reunion for our 40^th year from Arlington Memorial High School, the class of 66 decided to join the larger Alumni Reunion at their banquet. This will be the first time I’ve attended the Alumni Reunion for the whole school, and their banquet.

I asked a classmate of mine, Dr. Tom Macksey, “since I’ve never attended an alumni banquet, what is the generally accepted attire?” Here is some of his response:

General attire: “casual”

For men: “a good shirt” and “sport jacket”

For women: “a dress”

I found that quite interesting. None of these folks are Christians, to my knowledge. Yet, when they get together for a “banquet” and to see one another again, they say… let’s make it “casual.” Yet, casual doesn’t mean: unkempt, dirty, slovenly, unfeminine (for women), play clothes, unsightly, feminine (for men). Casual means: neat, clean, appropriate, feminine (for women), masculine (for men).

I’m not making any accusations…just some observations. My classmate’s answer simply struck me in an odd way—

Christians gather together for a feast on the Lord’s Day. They re-unite with one another. They worship God Almighty through His Son, Jesus, our Lord. Jesus shares in His supper with us on the first day of the week. The Bible certainly has some things to say about appropriate dress in various situations. We are gathering with the best people on the face of the earth…the saved, children of God Almighty. If I were to ask the Lord, “what kind of attire should I have on for such an august assemblage of folks, the saved, the children of God,” what do you suppose He would say??

I know some things He would say:

• It must be indicative of an underlying holiness of character, not a worldly character. Principle—we adorn our doctrine, it shows through by how we dress sometimes.

• It must take into account the nature of the occasion: work, play, worship, solemn, frivolous, holy, common. Jesus threw some folks out from a wedding feast because their attire did not reflect the nature of the occasion.

• It must demonstrate that care was taken in the adornment, and that it is well arranged…that thought has gone into what was put on, and the message it sends to others.

• It must recognize the difference in genders. Men should not dress femininely; neither should women dress in a masculine way.

• It must truly cover, quiet and quell the body, for multiple reasons.

• There is some recognition given for economic ability in dress. If a poor man, dressed in rags (maybe the best he could do, or, he was just a visitor) comes into the assembly, he should not be looked down upon.

None of these principles allow for swimsuits in public, or shorts in public, or revealing wedding dresses or evening gowns, whether in a worship assembly or not. Modesty in all mixed gender situations is enjoined by the Word of the Lord.

Is worship a “casual” event? What kind of occasion is it when Christians assemble to praise God Almighty?

We live in a time when modest and appropriate attire is being “re-defined” in a compromise with the world. I’ve heard preachers define proper apparel in such a way that no one could ever need to be admonished for inappropriate attire or immodest clothing. One preacher told me that we lost the war on that issue, to the world, a long time ago. I don’t think God has changed His mind in the matter; neither is “culture” a very persuasive argument with the Lord God.

–Keith Clayton

TAKE YE AWAY THE STONE

Jesus was in Galilee when He received word of the sickness of Lazarus.  He abode two days before departing to Bethany.  He knew that Lazarus was dead before reaching Bethany.  Lazarus had been dead for four days and was buried in a cave, “and a stone lay upon it”.  Jesus commanded the stone to be taken away and offered a prayer of thanksgiving.  “And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin.  Jesus said unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:43-44).

This command “Take ye away the stone” suggests some forceful lessons of divine truth.  Let us notice:

Jesus is pleased to associate individuals with Himself in His divine work.  Christ chose to give those who were also concerned with the matter something to do.  A word from Jesus could have no doubt removed the stone as easily as a word from Christ raised Lazarus to life.  Careful reading of the Bible will reveal that the Lord gives men something to do when His work concerns them.  (John 9:7) (Luke 17:14) (II Corinthians 6:1) (Romans 1:16-17) (Mark 16:15-16).

There is a sphere for human agency in connection with the divine economy.  God seeks to bless man but with man’s co-operation.  There is the human as well as the divine side of salvation. (Hebrews 11:6) (Acts 2:40) (Philippians 2:12).  The use of human agency in the divine economy does not limit the power of God nor does it subtract from the glory of God. IT MANIFESTS IT!  There are two hurtful extremes that we must avoid.  The one being that God does it all and the other being that we do it all. Remember:  Jesus said: “Take ye away the stone.”

Where human power is sufficient, Divine power will not be put forth or, God does not do for man what he can do for himself.  God has done for man what man could not do for himself. He has given His Son to die for the sins of mankind. He has made possible a plan of salvation and revealed in His word how man can receive this salvation. Yes, He has given the gospel with its facts, commands and promises, but man must believe these facts and obey the commands in order to appreciate the promises.  Some evidently must expect God to do it all!  God will never do man’s part for him.  Such would destroy man’s free will along with his responsibility and accountability. Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, but He required others to remove the stone and graveclothes.

Christ required the stone to be removed before He began His work.  Such suggests that there are some things in our lives which must be removed before we can expect the blessings of the Lord.  What might be some stones which need to be removed before we can receive the blessings of the Lord?  Consider the following:

Stone of ignorance.  Jesus said: “..if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32).  Ignorance enslaves men!  It is the truth that enables one to be free.  Christ offers freedom through knowledge of the truth.  One must remove the stone of ignorance to have this freedom in Christ.  Again, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6:44-45).  Teaching, hearing and learning are necessities in one being drawn to the Father.

Stone of prejudice.  This is one of the darkest of principles.  Perhaps one should even apologize for referring to prejudice as a principle.  There is never a man so blind as the man who does not want to see! Men have been known to make up their minds before any investigation is made.  There are even those who condemn investigation as being unfair.   Their minds are fixed like concrete and they oppose anything which would disturb the “tranquility” of their fixed mind.  How unlike the noble Bereans are they!  “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11). The Bereans  were being fair!  The stone of prejudice did not block them from the blessings of the Lord.  Stones of self-esteem, indifference, along with all things out of harmony with God’s will, might be mentioned.  These stones must be removed if we are to be right with the Lord.  We must not let anything hinder us from obeying His commands and continuing faithful to Him. Christ said:  “Take ye away the stone.”

--Bobby K. Thompson

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