Dress Lovingly NOT Lustily

According to the weather report, today's high was 70 and they're saying that it's going to be 75 tomorrow! If you ask me, that's perfect! While I enjoyed winter when I was growing up back east, I've long since abandoned any real sense of affection for cold weather. Yeah, I definitely prefer summertime! Even those of you who enjoy the cold weather and snow are probably looking forward to the warm-up.

As much as I love summertime, there is something about this time of year that I despise and abominate and that's the manner in which folks (even many Christians) remove the extra layers of clothing...to the point that they're not wearing much at all. Don't get me wrong, it's natural and even appropriate to wear less clothing when it's 90 degrees outside. Even I will wear shorts and a t-shirt on a good hot day. And I can't blame women for wearing less. But I'm sure we can ALL agree that there is a point at which a person just isn't wearing enough clothing.

At the Queen Way church of Christ, we've been focusing this month on LOVE, and so I'd like to take just a moment to apply this principle to our attire...

Biblical love (from the Greek word agape in most cases) is defined as "affection, benevolence" and encompasses both our attitude and our actions. In other words, we agape others when we actively serve them, putting their needs above our own. This is why in 1 Corinthians 13, the KJV renders agape as "charity." Of course, we see this attitude throughout the New Testament.

On the other hand, worldly love is more self-centered (1 John 2:15-16). Those who have embraced worldly rather than agape love are primarily interested in what feels best to them. How does this relationship benefit me? How does this activity make me happy? Generally, those who have this mindset are unwilling to pursue a course of action (or thought) that is inconvient, difficult...or that doesn't first and foremost benefit them in some way.

With this contrast in mind, consider with me the issue of dress...

As the weather warms up, the temptation is going to be to shed clothing. Again, this is okay to a point. However, I would encourage ALL of you (and myself) to dress lovingly not lustily.

If your choice of clothing is governed by agape love, you will always consider how your choices may impact others. If youre choice of clothing, however, is governed by worldly love, you will choose clothes that are the most comfortable and that make you look the best.

The short shorts, mini-skirts, revealing tops, bikinis and bathing suits will undoubtedly keep you cooler as the temperatures rise, but if these types of clothing are provocative or lust-enticing, agape love demands that you dress differently. Guys, you might be tempted to take off your shirt while you're playing basketball outside or mowing the grass, but agape love demands that you first think about the women who may be passing by.

Conversely, longer shorts and tops that adequately cover your upper body may not keep you quite as cool, but at least you're less likely to cause others to lust. Like Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:13, we need to be willing to give up the conveniences if and when others may be negatively impacted.

But really...when it's pushing 90 degrees, you're going to be hot either way, right? So you might as well be hot and modest.