"It's disgraceful to see him up on stage wearing jeans." "Why he just can't wear a buttoned shirt is beyond me." "She cannot be honoring God with those pants on." "I wish that teenager would stop wearing those sneakers." "He is being disrespectful to God and to us by not wearing a jacket and tie." "That can not be her best."
Deep breath. (I'm talking to myself. Not you. But depending on what your thoughts are, maybe you should take one too.)
Everyone matters to God. God loves all people. There's a verse that just might sound familiar to you: God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Jesus said whoever "believes" in him would have eternal life. Not whoever wore a dress, suit, or tie.
Jesus said that all who come to him, all the weary and burdened, he would give them rest (Matthew 11:28). Not everyone who stopped wearing sneakers in worship.
Everyone matters to God. Not just those who dress a certain way. He loves everyone. Not everyone can afford to dress as nice as Donald Trump. If a homeless man, who loved the Lord, came into your house of worship to lift his praise, would he be chastised for his dress? If a child from the slums of Guatemala was transported into our worship service, would she be looked down upon because of the rags she wears?
God loves them too. And he accepts them because of who they are and the decision they made for him. Not because of what they wear. To God, everyone matters. Not just those who dress like you. Don't make people feel like they don't matter because they don't fit your mold. God's molds are wide and varied.
End of story.
Okay... not quite. There is more to it. And I encourage you to tune in over the next couple posts to see what the scripture does say about how we dress for worship.
But for now I'd like you to ponder this topic in light of this fact: God is far more interested in your heart than what is on your skin. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
worship Him 24/7...
scott