Neal Pollard
God made women as one of His crowning achievements of beauty, and I am blessed to be married to one of His finest samples of this. They are called the “fairer sex” for obvious reasons. This was obvious from the first generation of man (Gen. 2:22-23). While Solomon extolled the physical beauty of his wife in Song of Solomon and King Lemuel’s mother extolled the intellectual beauty of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, Paul, a single man, and Peter, a married man, are led in their writing by the Holy Spirit to identify three distinct beauty marks of God’s ideal woman.
“Good Works” (1 Tim. 2:10). This mark is set in contrast with the immodesty of ungodliness in 1 Timothy 2:9. Whether overdressing or under dressing, the ungodly woman accentuates her outward self. This is not true beauty. Paul says being adorned with good works covers her with true loveliness. When a Christian lady is engrossed in good works, visiting, teaching ladies and children in Bible classes, soul-winning, or as context emphasizes (2:15), fulfilling her role if possible in the home raising children, she is a rare beauty. There are countless good works in which she can be engaged for Christ and the church. In doing these, she reveals remarkable beauty.
“A Gentle And Quiet Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:4). In 1 Peter, Peter makes some statements quite similar to Paul’s. Notice first that Peter, like Paul, preaches a message that could not be more different from the world’s sermon. The world tells a woman to allow herself to be a sexual object for men, to flaunt what she has, and to be provocative in her dress and manner. Peter tells her to accentuate chaste conduct and fear (3:2) and the “hidden person of the heart” (3:4). This is “incorruptible beauty,” literally not subject to decay. One thing I have observed through the years is that the godly woman grows more beautiful with age, the wrinkles and other marks of age not marring her appearance one bit. Her godly disposition, disciplined righteousness, and spiritual greatness beautify her in a way Cover Girl or Oil of Olay absolutely could not! Her friendliness and tranquility attract in an ageless way.
“Holy And Trusting” (1 Pet. 3:5). Peter mentions another beauty mark in his description of God’s stunning woman. She is like Sarah and other Old Testament women of righteousness. She is holy, meaning she lives near to God and far from the world. What truer beauty is there? She hopes for God, suggesting that she counts on Him and puts her confidence in Him. The world’s ideal woman boasts of her self-sufficiency, self-reliance, self-confidence, and self-making. Selfish persons of either gender are decidedly unattractive. But, the Christian woman appears beautiful through her dependency upon God and His ways.
Paul reminds us that despite our “beauty products” and cosmetic surgeries, the outward person is running down and wearing out (2 Cor. 4:16). There is nothing wrong with keeping in good physical shape (1 Tim. 4:8) or taking care of our physical appearance. However, let God’s woman be convinced that the things mentioned by Paul and Peter in these verses cause her to win the beauty contest in which God the Lord is the judge.
Tag: holiness
FIVE MEMBERS I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE
Neal Pollard
THE ENCOURAGER. This selfless person is always looking for a back to pat or a hand to lift. He or she is intent on others being appreciated for their contribution to the Lord’s work. These have a knack for doing so actively and genuinely.
THE UPBEAT. This smiling person has not had fewer surgeries, health issues, or reverses of life (in fact, many times they have had more than their share). Though you know they are suffering, if you ask them how they are you hear a silver-lining answer and see a twinkle in their eyes that betrays hope and optimism. They seem focused on heaven, not their hurts.
THE WORKER. This serving person does not have more leisure time or fewer potential life interests, but you will see them often between services, at church gatherings, at all the services, and wherever help is needed. Their energy and time reserve seems endless, and without them the needs of hurting members would go unmet, the souls of lost people would go untaught, and the jobs for all members would go undone.
THE STEADY. This steadfast person is not immune from long days at work, times of tiredness, family obligations, and other diversions. They are not above the ups and downs and highs and lows of life. But, whenever the doors are open, they are present. They do not blow hot and cold. They see the Christian race as a marathon, one which they are not about to quit. They just keep a constant, methodical pace. They may not be the most outspoken, vivacious, or even talented spark-plug in the congregation. They just keep going and going and going.
THE TENDER. This sweet person is on the phone, on the move, or at the pew, with caring spirit, tending to the cares and concerns of others. No doubt these same members are the mightiest prayer warriors in the church, those who love with a pure heart fervently. They grasp the concept that we are a family, and they love in deed and not just in tongue. You know they genuinely care about you. In fact, you may have them to thank in part if you stand at the Lord’s right hand some day.
Think about these five members. Did you have other names, specific first and last names, that you would substitute for the five names mentioned? Where would your name go? In place of any of those five, or would you have to look elsewhere? It’s a choice we all make. How do we want to be seen?
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