Have you ever met a most charismatic person who just oozes beauty or charm? Leaders are sometimes selected based on their good looks, charisma and charm. Celebrities woo their fans through the lens of a media willing to sell them as a star. But is it really good enough?
Are they just good at putting on a mask? Can they disguise what is on the inside? Yes, some can do this well…but for just a time. Eventually what is on the inside will surface and when it does, it’s not a pretty sight. We have seen many people we have admired and looked up to, fall in disgrace. The 1994 movie, “The Mask“, Jim Carey demonstrated that even with a mask on, eventually what is on the inside, comes out.
Outward appearance may be an initial and attractive draw card, but what is on the inside will carry for a longer time…even when the outward appearance begins to fade or wrinkle. It is what is on the inside that is the real attraction.
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.
Galatians 6:15
Circumcision was all about the outward appearance of being faithful to God and that you followed and obeyed God. But just because you were circumcised doesn’t mean you actually do follow God or are obedient to Him. That is a decision that comes from within.
When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord, we receive the Holy Spirit who resides within us and a new heart (spirit) on the inside.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
We are made a new creation…our outward appearance does not change at that moment, but on the inside does. And what is on the inside lasts forever! And from this new creation we are able to, and desire to, follow God and be obedient to Him. What is on the inside flows outwardly.
So where does your beauty stem from? Is it just skin deep and masked or does it truly flow from the inside out?