In 1975, John Molloy wrote a book titledDress for Success. In it he gave special attention to proper dress in the business world and the importance of having a professional appearance.
The New Testament has much to say about how Christians should dress for spiritual success. Consider, for example, Ephesians 6:10-20. This passage sets out the full attire for the child of God.
It begins by emphasizing the necessity of "having girded your waist with truth" (NKJV) or having "the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (NIV). The metaphor is derived from the strong, cord-like sash worn around the waist by a Roman soldier. It gathered in the short tunic and helped hold the breastplate in place. For the Christian, this "belt" or "sash" is said to be truth. This refers to "the manifested, veritable essence of a matter" (W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words), and is virtually synonymous with faithfulness (see Isaiah 11:5). Absolute fidelity to God and His word (which is truth, John 17:17) is the first item in the Christian's wardrobe. It is indispensable where spiritual success is concerned.
The second piece of attire is "the breastplate of righteousness." The soldier's breastplate covered his body from the neck to the thighs and was known as a heart protector. The breastplate with which Christians protect their hearts is righteousness. Christ "bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness…" (I Peter 2:24).
An important part of an ancient soldier's dress was his footwear. He wore boots thickly studded with sharp nails so as to ensure a good grip on rugged terrain. Athletes today spend large sums of money on good shoes, the right kinds of shoes for their particular sport. Christians are to have their feet shod "with the preparation of the gospel of peace." They are to be prepared at all times to share the gospel with those who have never heard it.
Ancient warriors carried a shield with which to repel the flaming missiles of their enemies. The word "shield" is from a word that originally meant a large stone such as was used to cover the entrance into a cave. From this it passed into meaning a door, and from this, into meaning a large, oblong shield protecting every part of the body. The "shield" by which we as Christians protect ourselves is faith. "And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith" (I John 5:4).
Headgear was and is important to a soldier. It is also important to a Christian. That with which a child of God protects his head is the assurance of salvation. With that knowledge we protect our minds with the understanding that God has forgiven us of our sins and promised us eternal salvation to be received in the last day—"receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls" (I Peter 1:9).
The soldier's offensive weapon was a sword. This was a short, two-edged cut-and-thrust sword. For the Christian, this sword is the word of God. In his vision of Christ on theisland of Patmos, John said: "…out of His mouth went a sharp two-edge sword" (Revelation 1:16). The word of the Lord is adequate for overcoming all enemies. We need to spend much time in honing our ability to use that sword effectively. And we need to remember that it is a sword, not a butter knife.
As a Christian are you dressed for success? Do you have all your attire in good working order and in place?
Hugh Fulford
June 21, 2011
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