The suit caught my eye. It was an attention-getter for sure with a
black and white houndstooth (checker-like) pattern. Yes, the whole suit, both coat and pants. I had to have it. It was the seventies. Clothes were often loud and gaudy. And I was a young minister just getting
started and wanted to look stylish. I
bought the suit. I think I accessorized
with platform cordovan shoes. Nice.
I don't remember that I got many
rave reviews on my fashion sense, but, at least, no one openly expressed
distaste. I found, however, that when
wearing it, I had a slight feeling of uneasiness. It was as if all eyes were on the suit and
what I was saying was secondary. The
suit didn't remain a part of my wardrobe for very long. It soon found its way into a box in the
closet, never to be worn in public again.
I still tried to be semi-fashionable, but decided it was wise to dress
with a greater sense of "suit-ability" I guess you could say.
I imagine we have all found
ourselves in certain social settings where we didn't get the clothing
memo. We showed up and found ourselves
inappropriately dressed for the occasion when compared to everyone else. It is an awkward and uncomfortable feeling.
Those who are followers of Jesus
look forward to a great gathering in heaven some day. And God has sent the memo on appropriate
dress well ahead of time so that we can be prepared. It's found in the closing pages of scripture
as God takes us into the future, behind the scenes in eternity. There is much about the imagery of Revelation
that is uncertain and up for interpretive debate. However, in the case of heaven's clothing the word
picture is clearly explained.
A portion of the heavenly scene of
Revelation 19 references the bride of Christ, the church, the assembly of
followers of Jesus in eternity. They are
ready to attend a wedding banquet with Christ and are dressed in white linen
garments. Then there is a parenthetical
insertion that jumps from the text. Fine linen represents the good deeds done by
the people of God. (19:8)
That's how to dress for heaven. The good deeds we have done as
Christ-followers, for and in his name, will in some way be our clothing when we
reach our eternal home.
This should not surprise us. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul called upon an
artistic imagery to describe what should mark followers of Jesus. For we
are God's masterpiece. He has created us
anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long
ago. Even before we get to heaven we
should be identified by the practical character of the things we do. We are to reflect the Master Artist as a
unique and beautiful human re-creation that he has personally designed. And it
is the good deeds we do, deeds specifically planned for us by God himself, that
reveal our true identity as one who belongs to him.
Jesus makes this very declaration as
he uses the word picture of lighting to describe the role of his followers
in this world. You are the light of the world.let your good deeds shine out for all to
see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew
5:14-16) Those visible actions toward
others such as kindness, mercy, justice, and generosity reflect the character
of the God we have come to know and point people to him. This is not about external religious
practices done within a church edifice.
Rather it is about the lifestyle we lead as our faith meets people in
the marketplaces and workplaces of our communities. They will see the character with which we
clothe ourselves and recognize it as not typical of this world. And ultimately they will come to recognize our
God as the source.
There is no danger of a fashion faux
pas as we dress with good deeds. God
designs and makes available the clothing he wants us to wear. He plans for and enables those attitudes and
actions in our lives. And when we get to
heaven our loving obedience to his will and work will assure that we will be
"in style."
Age has dulled and diminished my
stylish concerns. But when it comes to
preparing for heaven, I want to be well-dressed. As followers of Jesus, we must make our
fashion statement now.
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