In the
Revised Version this is translated costly raiment. It
includes not only all superfluous outward adornment, but
every expensive article of wearing apparel which would
require an unnecessary outlay of the Lord's means. In this
respect, again, there might be a variety of opinion or of
judgment as to what constitutes costly raiment, but no one
who has reached the standard of Bible humility will find
any difficulty in drawing the line for themselves or
setting a good example for others who have not yet come to
a true knowledge of this subject.
Modest apparel does not signify, as some would interpret,
a carelessness of our outward appearance. We should always
aim to be neat and presentable, unassuming and
unattractive, always being careful to maintain a perfect
correspondence in every respect with the plain teachings
of the Word of God, so that we may be able to appear among
the poor or the rich, as necessity may demand, without any
unnecessary attraction to our clothing from either class,
more than that distinction made by the Word of God, which
certainly implies a beautiful, easy, and graceful medium,
free from the awful bondage of fashion and style.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are annually expended by
professing Christians for unnecessary dress. In our so
called Christian United States statistics show that there
has been more money expended in one year for ostrich
plumes than for the missionary cause. Of course, the
professing Christians are not guilty of all this, but an
alarming proportion of it is chargeable to them. Many
professing Christians when requested to help the poor or
when any need of the work of the gospel is presented to
them, plead poverty themselves, when at the same time they
practice real extravagance in their wearing apparel. There
is not the least doubt but we all may economize in our
personal expenses in this respect, and become much more
able to be a blessing to others who are in need of actual
necessities.
There is a most delightful liberty here, where Christ the
hidden man of the heart has the perfect control. One of
the greatest sins in the religious world is the idolatrous
devotion of soul and body to the goddess of fashion and
style. Thousands who once may have had a good experience
of conversion, have been led captive by this subtle spirit
of pride and are now spiritually dead or else lean and
starving, and yet perhaps, in some cases, not aware of the
cause. Ah, dear soul, come with me and let us take a
prayerful look into the mirror of God's Word. You have
forsaken God and bowed down to idols. Repent of this, ask
forgiveness, and promise God all of your heart, soul,
mind, and strength. Then apply to the cleansing fountain
for a clean heart, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, so
that the meek and humble Christ can dwell within and live
the life of Himself in you. You have no time nor means to
waste in the vain things of the world. Those things which
are highly esteemed among men are an abomination in the
sight of God.
The depraved mind of the world has no power to comprehend
that which is truly beautiful in God's sight. For the
children of God to endeavor to appear beautiful to the eye
of the world is therefore to greatly displease God. The
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit will beautify the
countenance, and cause it to shine forth with true
heavenly brightness in the sight of God and before the
world.
"In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown
of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of
his people." Isaiah 28:5.
"For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will
beautify the meek with salvation." Psa. 149:4.
"I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and
her saints shall shout aloud for joy." Psa. 132:16..
"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name:
bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord
in the beauty of holiness." I Chron. 16:29.
Salvation is the only true adornment, therefore, the one
which everyone must seek to obtain and that which God
alone can give. This will shine forth with the fruits of
the Spirit in true loveliness, and cause us to greatly
glorify Him in good works, which come spontaneously from
the hidden man of the heart, and make us a diadem of
beauty in the sight of God. A heart thus filled with God
will have no room, need, nor desire for the vain, worldly,
outward adornments. Beloved reader, let us seek earnestly
to meet every condition of perfect obedience to the
blessed Word of God
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And
be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that
good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Romans 12:1,2.
"Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be
clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and
giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due
time." I Peter 5:5, 6.
