“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:14, NIV).
Because I was the oldest sibling, the beginning of the school year meant a trip with mom to the local store to purchase a new set of school clothes. My brothers would tag along, for we all needed new school shoes, but I was the only one who needed pants and shirts. That’s because my brothers were of an age and size to wear my old set of school clothes. Over the years, outfits worn by students and teachers have changed. The dress pants and shirts of the boys and the skirts and blouses of the girls have been replaced by shorts, T-shirts, jeans and a variety of stylish garb. Teachers, too, have moved from coats and ties for the men and dresses for the women to a less formal, relaxed dress. Shoe styles have not been immune to change, with leather saddle shoes, penny loafers, and Mary Janes giving way to sports shoes and sandals. These changes have occurred for many good and logical reasons. But the move to a more casual, less proscriptive form of dress has initiated discussions about professionalism, safety, modesty and Christian image. More than one meeting has been devoted to hammering out what should and should not be worn by students and staff. Sometimes these discussions center on individuality versus conformity; at other times, they deal with freedom versus control, or safety versus comfort. After all is said, the outcome of these conversations has to do with an official school uniform. For some that uniform is a standardized, proscriptive outfit, which features school colors and logo. For others the uniform is merely suggested styles, fabrics and footwear. For still others, it’s more a matter of what not to wear -- the uniform in this case being limited to anything not prohibited. Sometimes these discussions on the visible uniform minimize the emphasis on the spiritual uniform we all wear as baptized Christians. Paul reminds us of this garment in his words to the Galatians, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27, ESV). Martin Luther reminds us of the meaning of these words when he writes, “Christ Himself is our garment … the garment of our righteousness and salvation.” Clothing styles change. People will continue to push back against rules and regulations. Culture will redefine appropriate dress. All these are givens. The only garment that never changes and offers an eternal hope is the garment of righteousness and salvation given to us, freely, by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us focus on how He would have us dress.
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AuthorRichard Cohrs Archives
December 2016
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