Several weeks ago, brother Don Hastings, who serves as the evangelist in the Zephyrhills, Florida church, received a summons to report for jury duty in Pasco County, Florida. Included with the summons was a "Juror Instruction Sheet," which covered such items as when prospective jurors should call the numbers listed on the jury summons, how long they would be expected to serve, if selected, compensation information, designated parking spaces, numbers to call for further assistance, etc. Also included was a separate paragraph containing these instructions: "Jurors should appear for jury duty in a manner respectful of the court; everyday business attire is suggested and appreciated. It is recommended that you bring a sweater or a jacket for your comfort in the air-conditioned courtrooms. No shorts, culottes, undershirts, tank tops, etc. Any person not appropriately dressed may be held in contempt of court and may be sent home."
Hooray for Pasco County! At least someone in authority recognizes the seriousness of a citizen' s "right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed...," as it is set forth in Amendment 6 of the United States Bill of Rights. I am thankful we have a Constitution that protects our basic freedoms, as well as every person' s right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." And, yes, though I hope I never need to take advantage of it, I am thankful that each citizen, however worthy or unworthy, has a right to his "day in court."
But what are the practical benefits of having one's "day in court," if the court is a "Kangaroo Court," before a biased judge who can be "bribed;" if he is tried before jurors who show "contempt" for the court, are oblivious to their responsibilities, and unconcerned about their own influence on, and input to, our legal system? Fair-minded judges, lawyers, and defendants all recognize the value of good jurors.
Can you imagine the unmitigated gall that prompts such narrow-minded, unloving, inconsiderate, legalistic instructions? Why don't the officials in Pasco County "grow up" and become more "tolerant" of prospective jurors who choose to dress (or partially undress) in an "unconventional" manner? After all, this is the year 2002, and why should "enlightened" citizens be hamstrung by the mores and values of our old-fogy, puritanical founding fathers? Where are the free thinkers in our legal system? What about the individual's right to express himself in the manner HE desires? Are we being deprived of one of our rights?
Perhaps there are several answers to the preceding questions, but I would like to believe that one answer is this: we still have in our society people who recognize the value of our basic rights, and sincerely believe that every person whose influence affects the outcome of a trial should be a law-abiding citizen who demonstrates good judgment and respect for the rule of law. And, yes, they recognize that a person's manner of dress reflects his respect (or lack thereof) for the whole process. And, yes, they even have the audacity to regard some types of attire as inappropriate for the occasion and forthrightly declare "any person not appropriately dressed may be held in contempt of court and may be sent home!"
Dressing For Worship
I can almost hear someone say "I knew this is where he was heading!" Well, you are right; I have finally reached the "application" part of this article.
At this point, I am reminded of Luke 16:8 wherein Luke records that Jesus said, "The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." How, we ask, or in what way, are "the children of this world wiser than the children of light?" After all, "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." (Proverbs 9:10) Then, too, we call to mind Matthew 7:24-27 wherein those who hear and do the "sayings" of Jesus are likened to a "wise man, " and those who hear and do not obey the "sayings" of Jesus are likened to a "foolish man." In light of these statements, it is evident that "the children of light" reflect much greater wisdom than do "the children of this world." So in what way are the children of the world wiser than the children of light?
The answer to the question is partially set forth by the words: "in their generation." Very often, with respect to the affairs of this life, "the children of this world" reflect greater wisdom in their approach to the things of this world than do some "children of light" in their approach to the things of God. And one example that illustrates this point is the contrast between the way "the children of this world" approach their day in court, and the way some "children of light" approach worshipping God! It seems that when one goes before a fallible, human judge, is defended by fallible, human attorneys, and tried by a jury of his fallible, human peers, he almost invariably puts "his best foot forward." He dresses for the occasion-as do the judge, the attorneys, and the jury .On such an occasion, one does not want to give even the appearance of showing contempt for the court.
Unless he (or she) is hindered for reasons beyond control, every faithful Christian assembles regularly to worship God (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Hebrews 10:25-31). Frankly, It is inconceivable that one who genuinely loves God, and whose heart is in tune with the things of God, would actually not want to be present for worship!
But let us think about where we are and what we are doing. We come together to worship the King of the universe. We assemble in the very presence of God's Son, Whose judgment of us will bring eternal consequences (Matthew 18:20; 25:46; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Nothing we say, do, or think, escapes the attention of our heavenly Father (Hebrews 4:13), Who will "bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14) Nothing we do is more important, more sacred, and more solemn than what we do when we assemble with others of like faith to worship God.
Notwithstanding, some habitually arrive late; and others, by their dress, often show no more respect for the dignity of the occasion than they would show if they were attending a dogfight! But on Monday morning, if they must show up for jury duty, those same people will be on time, and properly dressed-lest they be regarded as showing "contempt for the court!" Is it possible that God fails to notice the contempt of His children when they exhibit greater respect for a court of law than they do for public worship?
Please do not misunderstand. We are not imposing a "dress code." In the legal sense, we are not summoned to worship, though the Bible teaches that there will be consequences for those who choose to ignore God's command to worship. Genuine obedience is "from the heart" (Romans 6:17), and we fully recognize that some people clad in fine apparel may be less spiritually-minded than "a poor man" (James 2:2) who cannot afford such fine apparel. We agree that God "looks at the heart," and that mere "outward appearance" (1 Samuel 16:13) does not guarantee true spirituality.
However, regardless of one's station in life, he can put his "best foot forward" when he assembles for worship. No doubt, there is a place for t-shirts and wrinkled, sloppy attire. But unless one is unable to afford better, that "place" is not the public worship. By no means should we turn worship into a "dress parade," but our appearance and conduct should reflect our own awareness of, and respect for, the dignity of the occasion.
Perhaps the bottom line is this: Christians are to be conscientious, concerned, sober-minded people--people who are too spiritually minded to approach the things of God in a casual manner. Something is out of kilter when people come to worship wearing attire in which they wouldn't be "caught dead" if they were appearing for jury duty. Consider ye well!
All I can say about my good brother and friend's article is a hearty AMEN!! For thirteen years, we lived, and I preached, on the west coast. I never adjusted to the "casual dress" to which so many of my brethren gave little thought. One of the elders had a daughter who was going to be married. I told my wife that I believed the people at the wedding would be dressed for the occasion. (Over 90% of those who attended were members of the church.) One woman was dressed in a pantsuit; the others in dresses; and every man wore a coat, a tie, or both. These were woman whom I had never seen wear dresses to worship services, and men whom I had never seen wearing coats and ties! What does it say when we pay greater attention to how we dress for a wedding than for worshipping our God?
While things are better in Ohio, in some ways they are much the same. One of the biggest problems I see in this area is the observance of a "dress-down code" for Sunday evening worship and Wednesday evening Bible study. Why do we dress differently in the evening? Are we still in God's presence at the evening service, as we are in the morning? Do our clothes make a statement only at the morning service? Some members of one congregation in our area are so lax about their Sunday evening attire that they appear to be attending a picnic, rather than worshipping the God of heaven. No, I'm not seeking to establish a dress code (a charge many are quick to level), but I am suggesting that we examine our motives for dressing differently in the evening. I'm certain we all agree that our God deserves the very best his children have to offer. Didn't He give us His best? (KMG)