Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Cosmetic Makeovers

Your adornment must not be merely external -- braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.  (1 Peter 3:3-4 ASV)


   The old adage: "beauty is only skin deep" certainly isn't part of the marketing strategy of the cosmetic industry today.  Television advertising promotes beauty as the pinnacle of success using gorgeous women with shiny swishing hair, smooth silk like skin, seductive eye shadow and colorful lip patterns.

   This reminds me of a problem facing wives during the time of the Apostle Peter.  They tried to win their husbands to Christ by using the cosmetic approach.  They plaited their hair, wore designer clothes, and obtained fancy makeovers, but apparently husbands were not impressed.  Christ was not honored.

   Peter said, not so fast ladies, don't be concerned about the outward beauty, instead work on the inside and let the beauty residing in the heart shine forth.  Fancy hairstyles won't win your husbands over.  Expensive gold jewelry won't turn them to Christ.  Nagging? -- forget it.  That will only turn them further away from the Lord.

   Peter's instructions to them were: "clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle spirit, which is precious to God.  Let the love of Christ flowing through your spirit win them over.  Be gentle, kind, obedient, understanding, patient, and loving."  These are the qualities that God uses to bring lost souls to himself.

   Are you living with an unsaved mate?  What are you doing to win him or her to Christ?  Are you obedient, gentle, loving, patient, and kind?  This is the successful formula for winning lost souls to Christ.  Worldly fashions will fail.

Thought for the Day: God's adornments are the result of the Spirit's gentle work within.

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