Anyone Can Look Normal
The police have been searching for the “Craigslist Killer” for a few weeks, and finally made an arrest in this series of crimes. The news media seemed shocked at the arrest, because of the appearance of the suspect. He’s a good-looking, 23-year-old med student, who’s currently engaged to a beautiful young woman. The various reporters all talked about how strange the crime was because he had no criminal history and was the All-American boy. They tried to uncover something about his appearance or family history to explain why he would do such a terrible thing, but they came up empty. I wonder if the media would have preferred the suspect to be a dirty, homeless person? Perhaps they would feel that he was matching his outward appearance by his dirty actions.
As Christians we understand that appearances can be deceiving. Before we were saved, there were probably many people around us that would have been shocked to see us labeled with the title of “sinner”. Unfortunately, I worry that people walk into our churches today and they look around and see a bunch of people who appear to be perfect on the outside. But, we know what we’re really like. We know the thoughts and actions that really make up who we are. We have to realize as Christians that maintaining a positive outward appearance doesn’t make up for a spiritual life that is in shambles. Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of His day, the scribes and Pharisees, in Matthew 23. He says in verses 27-28, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Looking okay on the outside and being okay on the inside are two different things. Do you feel like you’re living two different lives? As a believer, it’s time to stop pretending on the outside, but truly allowing Jesus Christ to change you from the inside. When you allow Him to freely work in your life, you will notice the difference coming out of you.