Appearance Is Everything...

It has been said that appearance is everything. You don’t have to look too hard in today’s world to see how much emphasis is placed on appearance. I am not speaking strictly of physical appearance, there is also the appearance of wealth, of importance, and even spirituality.

Did you catch that last one? The appearance of spirituality, appearing to be a spiritual person on the outside. Friends I think sometimes we pay a little too close attention to appearing spiritual on the outside and neglect the inside. Don’t get me wrong, our influence is important and vital, but we must remember, if we get the heart right, the outward appearance will take care of itself.

You see, the scribes Pharisees looked good on the outside, but their hearts were not what they should have been. Consider what Jesus said to them in Matthew 23:27-28, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” On the outside the Scribes and Pharisees looked great, they dressed the part, they even said and did all the right things. However, Jesus knew their hearts, and on the inside, they were filthy.

It’s easy to point at the Scribes and Pharisees and note their shortcomings. But what about us? Are we leading the type of lives on a daily basis which outwardly look beautiful but are lacking inwardly? The outward man must match the inward.

It is good, and it is right to attending the worship services of the church on a regular basis. By itself, attending worship is not all there is to the life of a Christian. Are we living a life which shows a heart which is pursuing God? Do we look for, and take advantage of opportunities to serve others (Matthew 20:28), or are we too busy serving our own desires? When we are at our schools, or places of employment is our speech the type of speech a Christian should have (Ephesians 4:29)? During our “free time” are we involved in activities which bring honor or shame to the name of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17)?

Friends be wary of worrying about outward appearance and not the heart. Let us pursue clean hearts instead of “whitewashed tombs.”