Combine the idea that appearances are not important with the human desire to fit in with the crowd, and you end up with a culture that is becoming sloppily casual. Unfortunately, this mindset not only being applied to attire, it is also promoting the idea that followers of Christ can look and act like society at large. Any attempt to challenge this in the life of the church is likely to receive negative reaction. In fact, in the church I presently serve, shortly after I arrived, a dress requirement was instituted for those who lead in worship.
This was done because I had no desire to see a woman’s midriff or a man’s frayed jeans during worship, both of which were visible in my first weeks as pastor. Coupled with a high view of worship, which means bringing and giving God our best, a very basic dress code was developed. Well, the label of legalist was quickly forthcoming. Who did I think I was to establish expectations for the attire of those leading in worship! It seems that in our effort to become seeker sensitive and relevant, we have become more concerned with the opinion of our unbelieving culture than with the approval of our holy God.
Right from the start, the separation of God’s people from their unbelieving world is set forth in the Word of God. In Numbers 6 it is called “a vow of separation to the Lord.” A couple of specific and visible marks of this separation were to be fastidiously followed. First, evidently in those days, people drinking wine and fermented drink was very common. So, one mark of separation was to abstain from wine and fermented drink. Also, in those days, men evidently cut their hair, with the exact length unknown. So, a second mark of this vow of separation was no razor was to be used on his head.
There are two parts to this. They are ‘vow of separation’ and ‘to the Lord.’ The ‘to the Lord’ is the most important part, emphasizing the spiritual desire to please Him. The ‘vow of separation’ became the outward symbol and representation of the inward spiritual reality and desire. Make no mistake, abstaining from wine and allowing your hair to grow, does not in and of itself, provide any spiritual benefit today, or in the time period of Numbers.
The New Testament, in agreement with the Old, promotes the spiritual truth of separation. It is called being set apart, sanctified, holy.
- It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:1,7
- As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:14-16
- Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17a
Here is the question I am posing. What would this look like today? What should be some visible, observable characteristics that distinguish followers of Christ from the fallen world around us? Any list you make must be motivated by the spiritual desire to please Him through your actions. The actions themselves do not set you apart. Rather, since Christ has saved you and set you apart, your actions follow accordingly.
Maybe it is time to sit down in a quiet place with your Lord and your Bible with pen and paper in hand. If you need a place to begin, try Colossians 3. We are not called to fit in with the world. We are called to become more and more like Christ. A "vow of separation to the Lord" might just be in order.
