Impressed to Dress

We hear the phrase, “Dress to Impress.” Respect is given almost unconsciously when we dress appropriately, and so naturally it is a benefit. However, what if it is true for the other way around with this saying? What if it’s “Impressed to Dress?” We are impressed to do the right thing, and to do it appropriately, even if no one notices.

Luke 10:25-29

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?”

‭‭The NKJV Study Bible says that the part of the law this lawyer quoted would have been repeated at least twice a day by the faithful Jews. The same standard held out in that law is still relevant for us today. However, we are so often like the lawyer. We seek to know exactly who our neighbors are, in hopes that we can excuse ourselves from certain uncomfortable situations. Again, the Study Bible says, “The lawyer was looking for minimal obedience while Jesus was looking for absolute obedience.” When our love for Jesus is with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, absolute obedience is not a burden or a requirement. Rather, it is a joy to do something for the One who gave us His all. This affects all areas of life, including our dress.

How often have I wanted exact rules to follow on dress code, thereby excusing the need to follow the Spirit’s direction? Or wanted to know who my “neighbor” was when there was something that I wondered about in another’s dress?

Luke 10:30-32

“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.”

The journey to Jericho from Jerusalem is about 17 miles. Unsafe, the surest way of getting somewhere on these roads was to travel with others. However, it seems like this man was alone. The caves along the road provided the perfect spot for thieves to hide in. Soon, they had surrounded the lone traveler, torn clothes from him, beat him to unconsciousness, and taken their loot and left. ‭The popular people of the day, the priest and the Levite, felt no need to care for anyone else not in their realm. They had other responsibilities, I suppose. Like remaining clean, and not touching the unclean, because, after all, they were “spiritual.” Yet they saw him there, unconscious and unable to help himself.

Too many times, we see someone in an inappropriate dress and immediately excuse ourselves. We feel that they are on a dangerous road by themselves, and they know better. The outward appearance isn’t the best look, yet we feel like someone else is better fitted to “take care of the situation.” In her heart, the woman has wounds and scars we cannot see, and is not conscious of how she appears. She may not be trying to draw attention, but our assumptions quickly take over and we conclude there must be some pride motivating her. Maybe there is. But maybe it’s different.

Luke 10:33-35

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”

The Samaritans were not a highly esteemed people. They often compromised on religious matters. They were, in some minds, the least favorites. And yet, this Samaritan didn’t think twice about whether he had other responsibilities, or if he had the time, or the money. He loved the common man, beaten and wounded. He didn’t scold the mad for traveling an unsafe road. Instead, he gave his own animal to the wounded man and walked the rest of the way to the inn. There, he was able to clean the man’s wounds, pouring in oil, which soothed the wounds. Then he added the wine, which was the disinfectant. As he left, he found the host of the inn and paid him more than enough, with a charge to take care of the wounded man until he was able to take care of himself. The Study Bible says if he paid two pence, at the typical rate of what a night at the inns would’ve cost, this Samaritan paid for 24 days. More than 3 weeks! Not knowing how long the man would need to recover, he offered to come back and pay whatever else was needed.

Maybe we feel like we struggle even keeping our own clothes well fitted and hemmed. It feels like hypocrisy to say someone else should improve. But aren’t those with the same struggles often the most relatable? The Samaritan didn’t worry about where he was at. He just cared about the wounded. He saw the pain, and poured in the oil of love. I like to think of the wine as the disinfectant of humble advice. Just a small tip that would improve how a dress might fit, and keeps that ‘infection’ from growing. This begins a new train of thought. We are helping someone form the right impressions of what is the right dress code. Then, to go to extra mile and pay it forward. To continue to extend friendship to that person, to be willing to keep our mouth shut from the gossip that wants to permeate our discussions, to keep confidential those conversations that aren’t meant to be passed around like a platter of food. What a high calling!

Luke10:36-37

“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”

Jesus had sufficiently answered the lawyer’s question. It is interesting to note that the lawyer could’ve simply answered, “The Samaritan.” Was he too proud to even simply admit that a lower class person had been the true neighbor? I like the way the Study Bible sums it all up: “The central issue is not determining who one’s neighbor is, but being a good neighbor to all.”

May we love each other enough to share in the suffering we go through, and help bind up each others sores. But most importantly, may we always remember that “we love because He first loved us”. (1 John 4:19)

[This is written as a personal encouragement for me; I in no way intend it to be a sermon for someone else. My desire is to dress in a way that brings glory to God, and help others when God leads me to them.]

* Much of this was inspired by what God’s Word and what the Study Bible pointed out. The praise belongs to Him.