1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. ESV #Bible
Do you or have you using the way you dress to make a statement?
In today's society we have the phenomenon of tattoos. It is now permeating through all ages and I'm sure for a multitude of reasons. Christians want to proclaim to everyone that they are God's children. Others tattoo the story of their lives on themselves, and still others want the shock value and the statement of individuality, or to fit in with a group.
Weather tattoos or clothing, or jewelry, all are statements of who we are or what we want others to think of ourselves.
The Apostle Peter here is saying what counts with God is who you are on the inside, the one God looks at.
What I have discovered in my life as I get older is that having been there and done that, there are less times I am surprised with unfamiliarity, and I being one who gets excited quickly, especially with my mouth.
As I age I see this gental and quiet spirit in me, and I really like it. I've known and know wonderful Christians who have this wonderful peace inside and I try to strive for that peace inside also.
As Peter says let our adorning be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable beauty. There is only one way we can get this kind of beauty, and that is through the Love of God. That Love is Jesus the Christ, who paid the price for our sins that we cannot pay, through His death on the cross. Then not only are we free from our sins, Jesus restored our relationship with God, even to be God's sons and daughters in the inheritance.
What we are on the outside? It doesn't change who we are on the inside. Only Jesus the Christ can do that. Invite Jesus into your inside, into your heart and recieve the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. That's the dress or tattoo God sees.
