Keith Battle - God's Dress Code

I’ve chosen for my subject today «God’s Dress Code.» God’s Dress Code.

Lord, let preaching be effective today. May the technology work in such a way that everybody, wherever they may be experiencing this service, would clearly hear and see this message without glitches or distractions. We pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

A dress code, by definition, is a set of wardrobe guidelines that are predicated upon certain events, contexts, or venues that we may enter. There are certain rules about what to wear and what not to wear, what to do and what not to do. Some places will say, «If you don’t have this on, you can’t come in, ” or, „You are not allowed to wear this in this context.“ It is contextual. Not only do dress codes tell us what to do and what not to do, but there are also levels. There’s a trend, or a spectrum, of dressing. In fact, sometimes when you’re invited to a particular restaurant, you may ask, „What’s the dress code? What do we need to wear here?“ It may say casual, or business casual, or business, or formal, or black tie, or white tie. There are different stops along that spectrum.

In fact, Vicky and I traveled this summer to a couple of events, and during those events, there was a dress code. We went to a wedding—a four-day wedding, with an event every day—and they told you what to wear to each event. Vicky got on my case because I wasn’t planning to do it. She said, „No, you’re not going to that wearing that. You have to follow the directions.“ They had words for the attire that I had never seen connected to clothes. I thought, „What is this? What are we doing? Are you trying to be smooth?“

Anyway, out of respect for her, and out of respect for the people who invited us, and for those who specified the kind of attire that would be accepted at this event, we complied. We bought all the clothes, which was a lot of work. But when I think about it, it relates to Colossians chapter 3, verse 12—God has a guest list too! Yes, the Bible says we have been chosen by God. I can pause right there; God chose you! Verse 12 states that I could stop preaching right there with those three words: God chose you to be on His guest list. That’s enough to praise Him for—the fact that I’m on His list, that I was chosen by God!

Like anyone who sends out an invitation, in verses 12 to 15, God says, „Now, this is how you have to dress as My representative. This is what you have to put on; this is what you have to clothe yourselves with.“ He gives nine outfits, or nine pieces of clothing in the passage. He says you must have tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude.

Let me say them to you again: that’s nine pieces of garments. The first five in verse 12 are tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Then, in verse 13, we must be clothed in forgiveness. In verse 14, we put on the most important piece of garment, which is love.

As for the last two in verse 15, we must be clothed with peace and gratitude. My staff can’t stand me; I always be Jonathan and stuff just pettiness. So that’s a powerful outfit right there, would you agree? In fact, while we’re putting on our natural clothes, it might be helpful to say this to the Lord: „Lord, while I’m putting on this, may I put on peace today. You know where I’m headed, God; I’m going to need You to put some peace on me. You know me, and You know them, and You know what’s about to go down. So I put on peace, and then, Lord, the grandkids are coming over this week, so I’m putting on patience.“