“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s” (II Corinthians 10:7).

In a time of movie stars and sports heroes, with television in every home and the glamorizing of physical attractiveness all but universal, even Christians have come to expect their own “stars” of the pulpit and the media to be men and women of great charisma and outward appeal. In this modern scene, the apostle Paul would surely be out of place. Even in the first century, he was criticized, both for his poor physique and pulpit technique (II Corinthians 10:10).

But, as Paul noted in our text, God’s calling is not based on one’s outward appearance. Long ago, when God chose David over the imposing presence of King Saul, He said that “the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).

Paul would also rebuke our modern obsession with physical fitness, reminding young Timothy that “bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things” (I Timothy 4:8). Peter had this to say to Christian women about their appearance: “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (I Peter 3:3,4).

One’s appearance should be neat and modest, of course, for our purpose is to cause men and women to see Jesus Christ, not to look at ourselves. As Christ Himself exhorted: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). HMM