The Messenger (EMC)

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The Messenger Mag

Not what we wear?

If a person were invited to Buckingham Palace to see the queen, would they wear blue jeans? I wonder if they’d even let them in. Even the non-believer dresses up for a social event, but us, we come as we are. God judges what’s in the heart, not what’s in the mind or on the body [letters, May 1]. True, but I put on my very best on Sunday morning because I am going to the House of God to worship the King. I wonder sometimes how the outside world sees us Christians as we do church. We have swung away from legalism so far that now we are “hanging loose” as we would have said it in my day, but now I think the word is “cool.” Cool, is that what we are!

Fine, guys, grow your hair, but please wash and comb them. Simon on American Idol told Carly Smithson to dress like a performer. The secular world is telling each other, while millions of people are watching, that it’s not cool to let it all hang out. Maybe our pastors (men of God) should tell us how we should dress when we come to worship the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, but then again I have also seen them deliver a message wearing their work clothes (jeans). In my time no one other than authorized persons were allowed behind the pulpit, which was a sacred place.

Maybe they carried it too far at that time, true, but now it has become a gymnasium where toddlers chase each other around after the service while mothers watch and hope they won’t hurt themselves. Maybe if we sat while we sang and stood during the sermon we might get the message. Okay, I am sorry; maybe that is a bit hard. But let’s at least keep the volume button at the same level during the sermon as it was during the band.

By the way, I just cannot visualize Jesus in blue jeans. Sorry.

Walter Hamm
Riverton, Man.”

Dear Walter,

I’m so glad you care about fashion in church. I cared about fashion too. More specifically, I was really concerned with those who’s outer fashions were like a cup washed only on the outside but who’s hearts were set on image and filled with judgment and self-righteousness.

Most of the fashions I liked the best I found outside of the Temple:

I found them on the woman caught in adultery when she was thrown at my feet almost naked. I’ve never seen a woman more beautifully clothed in a heart that truly was mine.

I found them on the prostitute I met at the well who had to come out there at high noon to avoid the scorn of religious people. Her heart fashions were so beautiful she brought half of the town to me.

I found them on the alcoholics I knew — in fact, I liked them so much I hung out with them. The religious leaders soon took to calling Me a drunkard because of the company I kept.

I’m in full agreement with you Walter — I too hate the fashions I find all across Evangelical Christianity today. They are fashions of legalism and control. Fashions of the abuse of power and the suppression of human hearts in My name. They are the fashions of people who no longer believe that I can actually change the human heart all by Myself and have, like the Pharisees, taken it upon themselves to do My job.

In fact, I hate their fashions so much, I’ve already left the building and it’s unlikely I’ll be coming back.

Walter, could you do me a favor? Please tell the last one out the door to make sure the lights are turned out.

Love
Jesus

P.S. I haven’t left the city though. Right now, I’m hanging out with a pot-head and a sex addict down at the skate park if you’d like to drop by. You may have trouble recognizing me though — I’m getting to like wearing baggy pants…