Let me say before taking a cursory glance at this subject that its what is on the inside of a person that counts. God states in a number of places .
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons;
Quite simply, without getting too deep into it, the passage is telling us that we are not Judged by our nationality, colour or sex. we are all gods creatures and though his eyes we are all the same.
Fashion and appearance reign supreme today. Advertising bombards us with ways to improve our appearance on a daily basis. Shows like “What Not to Wear” and “The Biggest Loser” show people changing the way they look for big ratings.
People are being told they are not good looking enough, so why not try botox, plastic surgery like their role models?
The Bible tells us that we need to take a different approach to appearance rather than fitting into society’s idea of beauty.
What God Finds Important
God doesn’t focus on our outward appearance. It is what’s on the inside that matters most to Him. The Bible tells us that God’s focus is on developing our inner beauty so that it can be reflected in everything we do and what we are.
[1 Samuel 16:7]
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.</space(2)>
[James 1:22-23]
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23:For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass;
But, Trustworthy People Look Good Dont they ? Outward appearance is not the best way to judge how “good” a person is.
Look at Jesus
Here is God’s Son come to Earth as a man. Do people recognize His outward appearance as anything but a man?
No.
Instead, he was hung on a cross and died. His own people did not look beyond the outer appearance to see His inner beauty and Holiness.
Matthew 23:28 – “Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Unfortunately, we do live in a superficial world where people do judge on appearance. We would all love to say that we are not in the majority and that we all look beyond what’s on the outside, but virtually all of us are influenced by appearances.
Yet, we need to keep appearance in perspective. The Bible tells us that it is important to present ourselves as nicely as possible, but God does not call us to go to extremes. It is important that we remain aware of why we do the things we do to look good. Ask yourself two questions:
- Does your focus on your appearance take your eyes off the Lord?
- Are you more focused Do you focus on your weight, clothes, or makeup than you are of God?
If you answered, “Yes,” to either of the questions then you may need to take a closer look at your priorities. The Bible tells us to look closer at our hearts and actions rather than our presentation and appearance.
Colossians 3:17 -And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Proverbs 31:30 – Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Saints of the Restoration 