Have you seen Christian apparel that simply have some Christian text or picture on it with no apparent meaning? Well personally, I feel that’s such a waste because a well designed piece of Christian apparel can be a really effective tool for lifestyle evangelism. What then could considered a good Christian apparel design? There are lots of Christian content we could put on say a Camisa Corinthians Mundial. First, we should think of what message we aspire to bring across in our Christian apparel. Let’s take an example using the Cross – the most basic and well known Christian symbol.
The Cross represents the finished work of Jesus Christ. On the Cross, Jesus took upon Himself all our sins and unrighteousness. He bore all our sicknesses, shame, poverty and every curse that we deserved as sinners. And He absorbe the full penalty and judgment of the law until it was fully exhaust.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplish, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine. He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. – John 19:28-30 (NKJV)
This is an awesome truth that we could aspire to convey through our Christian apparel. Here is what Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible says about Jesus’ last words before He gave up His spirit:
Especially observe the dying word wherewith Jesus breathed out his soul. It is finish; that is, the counsels of the Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfill. It is finished; all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished. It is finished; the ceremonial law is abolished; the substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. It is finished; an end is made of transgression by bringing in an everlasting righteousness. His sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul, and those of his body. It is finished; the work of man’s redemption and salvation is now completed. His life was not taken from him by force, but freely given up.