Devotional - 99-10-04 - Whig Politics

1 Samuel 16:7, "For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Today's topic is for those of you who remember your 18th and 19th century English history (Whigs and Tories). And remember if anyone ever asks you if you need a wigging, they are asking if you need to be scolded, not commenting on your hairline. As we will hear more and more political banter over the next many months, I hope you will enjoy the wit of the story below.

Recently a Puerto Rican lawmaker filed a resolution in the island's legislature to congratulate a mayor from a rival party on his toupee. The measure, filed Thursday in Puerto Rico's House of Representatives, salutes Caguas Mayor William Miranda Marin for his "outstanding and visionary achievements in the field of male aestheticism," namely "cranial prosthesis."

It should come as no surprise that we live in a culture that is obsessed with personal appearances. It is impossible to look good enough, in order to generate enough self-esteem, to feel good enough, simply to exist. Those who get caught up in this world of appearances are often insecure and genuinely unhappy in spite of all their efforts to the contrary. But we know that the Bible leads us to think otherwise for, "The Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 6:17)

If you are one of those types who tries on nine outfits (on a good day) before you can get out the door, or who is often late, because those 15 minuets of mirror time, often turn into 25 minutes, then remember the words of the Lord. If you are often anxious because you don't feel "marvelous" about your beauty, then listen carefully to what God's perspective is on these things.

God looks at the heart. God is the creator of beauty, and He is also the one who defines what real beauty is. If you have a clean heart, God is pleased to call you a work of beauty, and a treasure to His kingdom. This was David's desire, Psalm 51:10-13, and it should be our desire also. "Create in me a clean heart..."

Scripture is focused on the heart. The heart is taken as the center of our being and as a unique and wonderful part of the child of God. The heart of Paul was, Romans 15:16, "...sanctified by the Holy Spirit." And we must not limit this being sanctified to Paul only. The term is more generally applied to believers in 1 Corinthians 6:11, "And such were some of you; but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of God."

When viewed as we are in Christ, we are complete. We are not only being sanctified, but Scripture says that we also have already been sanctified. In Christ we are made pure, we are priceless, we are loveable and loved. It is our standing in Christ that makes all the difference. Our position in this world, our reputation, appearance, and bank account balances are insignificant when compared and contrasted with the importance of the condition of our hearts as they are in Christ.

Almost everyone struggles with the appearance they portray to those around them. This is why we must fully understand how complete we are in Christ. In Christ we are perfect because we stand before God in Christ's righteousness not our own. In Christ we have an inner beauty that is lasting, growing ever more beautiful, and can never be lost. May God give us grace to more and more see ourselves as we truly are in our relation to Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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