Ugly or Beautiful?
When someone uses the word “ugly,” do you immediately think of a person or thing? Likewise, if someone uses the word “beautiful,” do you immediately think of a person or thing? Our minds think as they are trained to think, and too often, too many jump to errant conclusions. Even if someone were to state more definitively, “He/She is ugly,” wouldn’t most think they were speaking of physical features instead of character? Likewise, if someone says, “What a beautiful creature,” most would think of the physical features instead of character. The fact is, both descriptions can be appropriately designated, but because of our “training,” many will think “physically” before they think of one’s character!
James gives us a lesson in this observation when he wrote, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” (James 1: 23 – 24) For women, a piece of furniture called “a vanity” exists in some homes. (I’ll not go further in discussing the reason for the name of the furniture!) For men, especially the younger ones, there’s some “macho” preparation in front a mirror as well. But the fact remains that few if any can accurately describe their physical features to another person. We tend to describe them as we think they are rather than detail our appearances as others see them – and remember, mirrors don’t lie!
Our character is often observed the same way: we tend to describe ourselves as we see ourselves, instead of the way others see us – and they, like mirrors, see our character as it really is! If others were permitted to use only one word to describe you (or me), would they use the word “beautiful” or “ugly?” Granted, determined by our unhidden emotion expressed both verbally and facially, the description can be very accurate! Yet, we tend to hide what we recognize as “not so comely” about our character, just as many try to hide their less comely physical features. Some of us can’t change our physical appearance – but we all can change our character!
What we all need to realize is that God sees us as we are – unadorned by the masks we use to hide our imperfections. He sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). As the Hebrew writer said, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13) We also can determine the beauty or ugliness of another by observing their character as they speak and act in this life (Matthew 7: 15 – 20). This permits us to know where and when to have fellowship with others; not established by their physical beauty, but by their character that exhibits Christ (Ephesians 5: 11 – 21). We Christians must see the importance of 1 Corinthians 15:33 and honor it by our life lived as Christ in us (Colossians 3: 1- 17; Galatians 2:20).
Scars are reminders of horrible events. I knew a man who served as a volunteer fireman. He was fighting a house fire when the stored gasoline in the garage exploded and flashed upon him. He was burned over 90% of his body, leaving scars he could never hide. Even with multiple surgeries to repair the destroyed flesh, his body would never release the scars from that event. He told me once, “I’ll be reminded of that fire for the rest of my life.” He was right. Sin is the same, yet not always as visible. Sin, though it can be forgiven, and the pain removed, always leaves a scar; if nowhere else, the scar remains in our mind! Why? Put simply, it is a reminder to never do that again! Romans 6 speaks of “walking in newness of life.” Yet, baptism never changed the physical features of a single person! It does, however, if done sincerely and honestly, change the character of every person who obeys! It can take the vilest sinner, cleanse the soul, and make it beautiful – adorned with the innocence of a newborn babe, and kept beautiful as it continues to walk in the light of God (1 John 1: 5 – 10).
The unfortunate reality is many souls who have been cleansed from their sinful past, return to that ugliness. Willful sin is habitual sin (see Hebrews 10:26) and refuses the life of Christ living in that soul (Colossians 3:1-17; Galatians 2:20). Yet, to say we do NOT sin is a lie (1 John 1: 5 – 10), and therefore a sin within itself! We Christians who wish to remain beautiful in God’s sight recognize our need for the cleansing blood of Christ, and so are not hesitant to repent of and confess our sins (Acts 8:22; ibid.) and thus remain faithful unto our deaths, being diligent in our service to Christ Jesus (Revelation 2:10; 14:13). We Christians recognize our robes are made white it the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7) and need to remain clean and pure! That’s what keeps us beautiful in His sight – the absence of sin!
There is an adage that says, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The Lord made a much stronger statement when He said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) Another is “Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone.” That one might be closer to the truth if observing only the physical appearance! Spiritually, however, the beauty of Jesus must be seen in us! We even sing about it, don’t we? That inward man is renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16; Colossians 3:10 – 11) and therefore, renews the beauty of a cleansed soul whose glowing light comes from the light of God – His Word that dwells richly within us in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16).
Frankly, I’ve never met an ugly faithful Christian, and neither have you! Yes, some Christians might act “ugly,” but I clarified it by saying, “FAITHFUL Christian!” You see, the BEAUTY of Jesus is seen from FAITHFUL behavior in word and deed. That is the attraction the world needs to put aside their ugliness and become beautiful souls – obedient souls to Christ Jesus!