Appearances
A week or so ago, one of our local members introduced my wife to a grocery store employee as her "minister's wife". In response, the cashier indicated to my wife that she'd not have taken her for a minister's wife. The reason, apparently she doesn't fit the "prim and proper" mold that this woman had in mind for a "preacher's wife".
Not many days ago, I was at the same grocery store with my wife. The cashier who served us had overheard the original conversation, and I was introduced as the "preacher". Luke her colleague said of my wife, she indicated that she would not have taken me for a preacher.
Now, am I concerned about either? Absolutely not. If either of us had been dressed inappropriately, or been engaging in something untoward, then there is a problem. However, neither my wife nor i are concerned with the world's mind of what a preacher or a preacher's wife ought to look like. Their perception, no doubt, is clouded with denominational misinformation. A collar around my neck might easily identify me in the mind of the uninformed as a minister, but such a collar has nothing whatsoever to do with whether I am a minister or even a Christian.
When Samuel was sent to find Saul's replacement as king in Israel, the sons of Jesse were assembled before him. Eliab was before the prophet, who concluded, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him." (1 Samuel 16:6). Looking at the appearance of Eliab, Samuel was in awe, and thought for sure that God had selected this man. Hear the words of the LORD:
Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)
The Lord is concerned with the inner man, not the outward. Peter cautions,
Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging of the hair, wearing of gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Peter 3:3-4)
“The Lord is concerned with the inner man, not the outward.”
Outward appearance can be a deception. Remember the ten virgins which Jesus spoke of in Matthew 25? All ten went forth carrying their lamps, and to onlookers, all ten would appear to be ready to go out to meet the bridegroom.
Hypocrites, Gr. hupokrites
"an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e., (figuratively) a dissembler.
(Strong's)
The outward appearance did not tell the whole story. A few chapters previous, Jesus spoke of the Pharisees and the scribes as hypocrites, comparing them to dishes which have only been washed on the outside, and whitewashed tombs. He concluded, "Even so you also outwardly appear to be righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:28).
The apostle Paul, years later, in writing his letter to the Romans, boldly stated,
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Romans 2:28-29)
Friend, what do you look like? Not outwardly, but inwardly? So long as your outward apparel is modest, it is appropriate. There is no outward garment or style which declares one to be a child of God. But how about the heart? Have you put on the armout which Gdo has supplied for His children (Ephesians 6:11-17)? Have you been clothed with a robe of white, having been washed and "...made white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9, 13-14)?
May it be that when folks speak with you, when they hear your words, when they see your actions and examine your life, that they may with confidence understand that you are a Christian. This is the appearance that counts, the appearance of the heart.
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Answering The Atheist
The Atheist's Complaint:
Should we obey human or divine law? Acts 5:29 says that we should obey God rather than men, but 1 Peter 2:13 and Romans 13:1-2 indicate that we should obey the laws of man. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Romans 13 speaks of the governments of men as being "...appointed by God..." and "...God's ministers..." (v 1, 4). This being the case, part of our obedience to God is that we render obedience to the governing authorities. We are to "...be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake." (v 5).
But what shall we do when human authorities command us to do contrary to God's will? Shall we then listen to God or to men? Which law, God's or man's, is greater and demands our complete obedience? That is what is at issue when Peter makes the statement in Acts 5:29. Notice the background to this statement:
Acts 4:3 - Peter and John were arrested for preaching about the resurrection of Jesus.
Acts 4:18 - They are commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:19 - Peter and John answered, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than God, you judge."
Acts 5:18 - The apostles are again arrested for preaching and healing in the name of Jesus.
Acts 5:28 - The high priest asked them, "Did we not strictly command you not teach in this name?"
Acts 5:29 - Peter and the others answered, "We ought to obey God rather than men."
Peter does not say that it is wrong to obey man. It is not a case of obeying one or the other. It is most often the case that the Christian can obey both God and human governments. But, in the rare occasion when the dictates of the governing authorities are contrary to the will of God, we must obey God, not the government.
There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.