Question:
How should we dress for meeting? We are going into the presence of the Most High God, and that demands respect, but isn’t it true that we are in the presence of God daily? Then shouldn’t we dress up every day? It’s not that I’m trying to rebel against this, I was just wondering why we do this. I would appreciate any thoughts anyone would have on this topic.

Answer:
First Peter 3:3, 4, 5 and 1 Timothy 2:9, 10 indicate the importance of modesty—not drawing attention to ourselves in the way we dress. I think if a woman wore slacks to meeting she would definitely draw attention to herself—simply because other women wear skirts and dresses. The Bible doesn’t spell out that women must wear skirts and men must wear pants but it does tell us not to offend or stumble our brother (Read 1 Corinthians 8:13 and Romans 14:19, 20, 21). I feel if I wore slacks to meeting it would offend many people, and maybe cause some to stumble. Another verse that comes to mind is, “Honor thy father and mother” (Ephesians 6:2). I don’t think my parents would be comfortable if I didn’t wear a skirt to meeting so I want to honor them–because God tells me to.

The main reason I have always wanted to look my best for meetings is this: I respect the Lord and want to give Him glory when I am gathered with His people for He says that He is in our midst when we “are gathered” by the Spirit of God according to His Word “unto” or in worship of “His Name” (Matthew 18:20).
There are a few places in Scripture that show people changed their clothes for similar occasions. Second Samuel 12:20 says that after David’s child died he “arose from the earth, and washed, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped.” Esther wore something different from her everyday clothes when she went in to see the king (Esther 5:1). Those examples aren’t exactly what we’re dealing with today but I think it shows that we should think about (as our own individual exercise) how we dress.
To me, what I wear to meeting is different than what I wear every day because of the reasons I mentioned above (not offending others, honoring my parents, and giving reverence to the Lord, when I’m gathered with His people). If I wore a fancy dress every day of my life—to play volleyball, go to the grocery store, etc.—that would definitely be drawing attention to myself, and would not be in accordance with the already mentioned verses in 1 Peter and 1 Timothy, because they tell us not to draw attention to ourselves!

If guys wear jeans and T-shirts to meeting and no one seems offended by it—then well, I’m glad no one is offended (although maybe in some places people would be offended by this). I think each one of us (guy or girl) should think about the way we dress and decide if it is honoring to the Lord, our parents, and others in the assembly.
One more thing: we must remember we are not under law—but under grace. If a Christian woman wears pants to meeting, she won’t lose her salvation! Or if we can’t afford to buy a skirt I’m sure the Lord would understand (and hopefully others in the assembly would too). Our Lord is gracious and gives us the ability to judge some things for ourselves. Also, let us do all things to the edifying of the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:19 and Ephesians 4:12).So that’s how I feel about the way we should dress! I think it’s important for each of us to be before the Lord about it—just like we should be before the Lord about all other aspects of our lives. He’s the One we’re here to please—and we need to follow His Word and His guidance for our lives.