Thursday, September 23: 1Peter 3- Don't forget the inside.

The theme of persecution for one’s faith didn’t connect with me.  That is not a present issue in my life. However, the word about inner beauty (integrity) did.

The other day a friend stopped by to cut up a tree that had fallen during a storm.  It looked like a great haul of firewood. It was, except for the last 12 or so feet. The bark, the outside, looked normal but as he cut he found that much of the lower section of the tree was rotten. Something was eating away the inside of the tree, where a human eye could not detect but when a storm came it snapped with a loud crash!

Peter suggests to wives, and by way of inference to all of us, to pay attention to our inner lives and not merely dress up our external life with available beauty aids (4, see also see Pr 31:30). That word is appropriate for all of us.

We live in an external, often superficial age… look good, look younger, hide the grey, hid the wrinkles world. Some of us push vanity too far but looking good isn’t bad. The problem is that we do not give equal attention to inner beauty or inner integrity. Life is often about appearances rather than substance. Now that’s a problem. Believe me this issue of looks affects men as well as women in our culture. How many Hollywood hunks and babes live shattered, spoiled, self-centered lives? Peter is suggesting that in many ways we are all tempted to do that.

So how should we live? Towards the end of the chapter Peter suggests a different approach to life. Verse 15-16: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. Look into your heart and make sure that Jesus is reigning there. Regular cardio exercise is good for keeping your body healthy and fit- every Dr. will tell you so. Likewise, spiritual cardio exercise is good for keeping your inner life healthy and fit.

Set apart… look in side and pay attention to what is motivating you, what is driving you… is it Jesus?

Examine your hope… is your hope the Lord or something else?

Keep a clear conscience… does your life and actions reflect God and God’s ways? Are you obedient to His word and teaching?

God’s whisper to me, “Bill, are you spending time, enough time, keeping your inner self spiritually fit or are you merely attending to your façade? That tree in your yard fell because it was rotting inside…let that be a lesson to you….”

Lord God, help me to live a life of true integrity.  Help me to live for You through and through… In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment