Resources/Articles
How Do I Look?
“I counsel thee to buy of me...white garments,
that thou mayest clothe thyself,
and that the shame of thy nakedness
be not made manifest…”
Revelation 3:18
Much has been written and taught about modest. In view of our present age and styles, much needs to be written and taught a bout the way people dress themselves. Those who believe they are covered, are not. Those who are “covered” have trouble finding the right size, because it appears to be either too short, too tight, or too low. Some garments have not even been completed by the factory. It seems as though they left out some stitching or ran out of material. Most people regard that as style, not as a defect.
Evidently, in Revelation 3:18, the Lord is speaking of something other than physical attire. However, every Christian should consider how they look. Only a person lacking complete mental faculties would go around undressed (Luke 8:27,35). Something is wrong with a Christian who is careless about how they look. Look again at the attitude of modesty, godliness, shamefastness, and sobriety an see if that describes the way you look.
The Lord speaks to the church at Laodicea about their inward adorning. He shows them how they are “dressing” their spiritual lives. Such attitudes can have a significant effect on how we look on the outside, so what should be the “attire” of a Christian?
Jesus says, “Buy white garments.” These garments show a pattern of life that corresponds to a profession. Every Christian’s life should be one of kindness, humility, longsuffering, forgiveness, meekness, and love (Colossians 3:12-14). What an attractive person that is to behold! Let us be people who work to put off garments of anger, malice, strife, pride, lying, and covetousness, and clothe our hearts with the character that magnifies God in our lives.
The reason for the exhortation to buy garments is to cover “the shame of thy nakedness” (Revelation 3:18). The Lord’s word is powerful enough to expose all there is to know about man (Hebrews 4:13). What a shame this is before God. Yet, consider how much of your life is exposed to the world. Actors, athletes, and politicians cannot turn their heads without being noticed by the media. Many times, such exposure is embarrassing. Most of our mistakes expose us to man’s ridicule and God’s wrath. The “nakedness” of sin is embarrassing, especially when you get caught. What a shame it is when people continue living in sin and never open their eyes to how they look. Look in the mirror - God’s word (James 1:22-26) - one more time. How do you look to God? Have you thought about changing?
