I was at a wedding recently at a newly renovated church. As I came out of the carpark and headed towards the sanctuary, I saw another guest on the way there also. She was wearing torn and tattered jeans with a spaghetti striped t-shirt. For a while, I thought that she was just a tourist visiting the place. Then I saw her among the guests in the sanctuary. I am not judging but definitely no fan for her fashion sense nor propriety. I know this is a ‘fashion’ statement for some but really something not for me. Well, to each his own. Also to me it is gross disrespect to the couple getting married that day. If you are really poor and that is the best you have, then I apologize.

Following the West in such ‘torn and tattered’ look is really something ridiculous. Torn jeans came about because they were not able to buy new ones. You will never see a well-to-do in the west wearing one unless they are out to ‘advertise’ themselves. So, such dressings do tell of a cheapening of oneself. I really do not encourage anyone to wear them unless for some really dirty and manual work. There really is a time for everything.

Scripture does tell us of a great banquet where all the guests are expected to be attend the wedding in wedding garment. These people were not appropriately dressed and were thrown out. Let that be a warning to us to be ‘wearing correctly.’

Of course, the wedding garment referred to here is the righteousness that we should have. It can only be achieved by putting on the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Without which we are not allowed into heaven because we are just not worthy. Our sins need to be washed away and a new “garment” put on us.

Brothers and sisters, do not follow the ways of the world. Even worse is that it is followed blindly. Follow the way of life, put on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and live a good life.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

最近我参加了一场在刚装修好的教堂的婚礼。从停车场走向圣堂的时候，我看到一个宾客也走向圣堂。她穿着破烂和皱皱的牛仔裤以及细吊带的T恤。我以为她只是来这里观光的旅客。之后我看到她也是在圣堂众多宾客之中。我不是在论断，然而，我不单完全对她的穿着的品味无法苟合，也认为那是不合乎礼数。我知道对其他的人来说那是时尚潮流，但是，这实在不适合我。罢了，各有品各的品味。我也觉得这极不尊重那天结婚的新人。如果你是穷到这是你最好的，那我愿意在此道歉。

跟随西方“破烂和皱皱”的风格实在是荒谬的。破烂的牛仔裤问世乃是因为他们无力购买新的。你在西方永远不会看到有钱人如此穿着，除非他们为此打广告。这样看来，如此的穿着只是告诉你是在贬低自己。除了干些脏活和手活，我实在不鼓励你们这样子穿。万事都有其时。

圣经告诉我们有一场的大宴席和所有被请的宾客都要穿着婚礼的礼服。那些没有穿着礼服的被丢在外。让这一个成为我们的穿着要“合乎礼仪”的警告。

当然，礼服乃是指着我们身上的义。这只有披戴耶稣基督的义才得以实现。若没有基督的义我们无法进入天堂因为我们不配得。我们身上的罪需要被洁净，然后，穿上新的“袍”。

弟兄姐妹，我们不要跟随世道。更糟糕的是你盲目的跟随。跟随生命之道，披戴耶稣基督的公义，过一个丰盛的生活。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
(林忠彬翻译）