Appearance is essential to success and even acceptance. Studies have shown that a person’s height, skin color, and weight can determine whether they are hired or promoted in the workforce.

The church world isn’t much different. There is a dress code for leaders, ministers and lay people in churches that may be a silent tool of separation or it may contribute to unity. According to 1 Samuel 16:7, God’s style is to examine the heart of an individual as opposed to their appearance.

We are admonished to resist the inclination of making judgments strictly based on our opinion or ideal of what a “Christian” should look like. Countless people have been accepted and promoted in the church, but are actually rejected by God. He has instructed the body of Christ to “Know no man after the flesh.”

If the church chooses to obey God’s instruction then relying on the spirit of discernment would be the first and most important instrument used to identify a brother or sister in Christ.

On the other hand, protocol and dress codes are assets to maintaining excellence in the church body. For example one must consider modesty and moderation.

Years ago the style of dress for a Christian was obviously different from the style of a person who frequented nightclubs. But in recent years the line of delineation has been almost completely erased. The theory of relativity has clouded the judgment of believers thus, God’s Style is being misrepresented. The church at large, believes in being FREE in Christ, and in many cases, a dress code represents bondage.

Where did the misinterpretation of God’s style begin. It may have been created from someone who decided to redefine the statement “Come As You Are.”

It is true that initially God’s compassion sees beyond the outward appearance of a new believer, but that’s only the beginning. As a babe in Christ studies the Word of God, and allows His spirit to lead and guide them, their style should become revolutionized.

For some women the focus begins to shift from advertising their cleavage, and wearing their skirts so short they could be arrested for indecent exposure. Men also shift their focus from being a skintight or shirtless poster child for their local gym.

As Christians we should be Billboards for the Savior of the World, instead we often stumble and remain stagnant in the immature state of self-centeredness.

God created us as body, soul and spirit. Our bodies are to be presented in an appropriate and honorable way to God and the world.

Man’s soul and spirit is the most important part of his being. The shell that we call the body can be a tool in the Masters hand for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ instead of promoting the heightened sensuality of the world.

There are those who often lack the appropriate attire to function in leadership, key positions or just to attend a church gathering. These are socio-economic boundaries that can be overcome in the church if we followed God’s example. In Deuteronomy 15:7-11, once again God’s style is boldly represented in the commands He gives regarding how to treat those less fortunate. One must be soft hearted showing compassion and giving freely to meet their needs.

Many believers are overlooked and not validated in their churches because they do not look like the majority. When God created man did He desire unity of uniformity? Unity is defined as a state of harmony (as in purpose or action), without the restriction of individuality. Uniformity on the other hand requires the same form, conduct, opinion without any variation, or originality.

If you still haven’t figured it out by now, “One heart and One spirit” is God’s style for the Church.

By Michelle McAllister, Writer, The Church Online