If God is a King, do you think He should be honored by wearing your best clothes to church?

Question

Or do you think it matters? If it doesn't matter why do people dress up to go to church?

Answer 1

When I went to church as a little girl from the ages of 8 to 12 years old, it was during the time that women had not started wearing pants very much. When I went back to church a couple of times as an adult, I was shocked to see women in pants.

Once I became a Christian and started going all the time, I always wore dresses/skirts and never felt comfortable in anything else. Sometimes when I visited other churches, I would be amazed to see men in shorts, t-shirts, and sandals. Once this woman had her one piece bathing suit on with a pair of shorts, but no blouse.

I do not want to offend anyone, but since this has nothing to do with whether someone will go to heaven or hell if they do or don't wear a dress (well, unless maybe its a boy, no I'm kidding), I'll give my own personal feelings in this matter.

Many times you hear that God takes you no matter how you are dressed and if He sees you like that at home, why should you pretend that you are something different when in church and some people feel dressing differently than when they are at home is being phony.

It is true that God takes you no matter how you are dressed, however, I feel very strongly that when I go to His church, out of reverence and respect to Him, I want to dress up. I like to see the other women all dressed up and the men in suits, especially because we are the role models for our children and what's a better way to show them that God is indeed, a King.

God is the King and He deserves my very best and it does not mean I'm being phony. Many people can't go to work dressed in shorts and t-shirts, so if you dress up for work, why not God?

Nor do I see it as a sacrifice either by getting up extra early and taking the "trouble" required to dress up and wearing clothes that are not always the most comfortable.

There are certain times that have been sanctified for God, special worship times that have been set aside just for Him, so why shouldn't we take extra time to prepare us for going to worship the King? Just as we are to prepare our hearts before we arrive to worship Him, or while sitting there waiting for church to start, I want to give Him my very best and go through the motions of what it takes to make myself look extra nice for Him. I want to wear my best dresses, and fix my hair special.
I'm not dressing for anyone else, just God, my King.

Additionally, I expected the same from my kids and I had set the example when they were small, so they also loved to dress up for the Lord. As they got older, I found myself having to compromise for them because of peer-pressure and since it isn't a hell determining behavior, I was not going to fight with them over it.

Our compromise was that on Sunday morning they still had to dress up, but Sunday night, they could wear dress slacks, and Wednesday night, they could wear their jeans or long shorts in the summer time, since we live in the desert. It would not surprise me that when they have their own kids they will be back in dresses and teaching their children the same.

Yes, I'm one of those that want to give my very best to my King and that means I'm going to dress up for Him as I am going to a special place other than my home to worship Him. I believe dressing up for Him is a special way of saying, I respect you and I want to honor you.

It really bothers me think that I could dress up for work, a date, my husband, a party, a wedding, and other special occasions, but then to not dress up for the Lord?

Answer 2

I think dressing up for church is just a tradition. What you wear is not important- but unfortunately there are people in churches that are more worried about the outside than the inside. Our pastor actually mentioned people like this in his sermon today- arrogant Christians. Some Christians can get a little "high and mighty" for some reason- and they haven't done anything to brag about. I dress up for church because I like to, and plus as a church musician I feel that I should look professional. But to me, the important thing is to get a spiritual blessing from the worship service. As Christians, we should accept everyone- a rich person dressed in a Gucci suit or a homeless person dressed in dirty rags, but unfortunately that doesn't always happen.

Answer 3

It's a matter of preference. God never told people to dress up for church. If your purpouse is genuinely to "give God your best," then there's nothing wrong with dressing up. But dressing formally CAN cause some people to miss the whole point in church.

Basically, if your church's culture is not contrary to the bible, go with the flow and submit yourself to the authority of the pastor. Ask his/her advice.

Answer 4

It does not matter what you wear to Church. Some people dress up because they want to. Other people dress up to keep up with the neighbors.

Answer 5

That is probably the best reason I have heard for dressing up for church. The problem is, too many people get into a who is better than who competition and it really stinks in God's nose. If you are poor, wear the best pair of jeans you have. If you are rich, help someone else who is poor. Good comment.

Answer 6

He sees you when you're naked. It doesn't matter; what matters is that you respectfully honor and worship Him. When you go to church, it IS nice to try to look well-groomed, but God sees you every moment of every day, and most of the people at church only see you one day a week, unless you volunteer at your church. It matters more what is on the inside than the outside.

Answer 7

It is not a matter of what you think that God may or may not think of something. To do so is putting yourself on his level. You wear what most shows your honor of God and Christ.

If you think you know the mind of God, consider Moses. He could not enter the Promise Land because of just one sin. This even though yearly the High Priests sacrificed a lamb in the Temple for the forgiveness of the sins of Israel. Later, Christ would replace the need for that as the Lamb of God.

The question to ask yourself about Moses is whether his sin was what he did, or that in his heart he thought he knew enough of the mind and heart of God to know what God would consider important or not?

Dress and comportment of Christians is a reflection on God to those who do not believe in him and his Son.

Answer 8

Absolutely, yes. When we go to church we are going into the very presence of the throne to honor our King. If we were to go visit the President we would dress up. If we were to go and meet a movie star we would dress up, so why would we not dress up when we go to see Him?

Answer 9

Thanks For Your Question

Well ofcourse it matters Im a Muslim and its better to go to the Mosque wearing the best clothes because after all you are going to pray to god and he will see you so its better to be wearing something nice but after all god do not look to your clothes he looks to the hearts beause as you know maybe there are some poor people who dont have something to wear

Answer 10

The church isn't a building, nor is it club. The church is a global body of believers. People who think they have to dress in their finest to go to a service are ignorantly believing this impresses God, OR even worse are in a fashion competition and want to draw attention to themselves. It's a crock, anyway you look at it.