Lordship of Christ- The Family Part 3

Christ’s Lordship is one of the great blessings for the Christian who seeks to live faithfully within a world that serves a different master. To encourage his disciples on the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Living as a Christian in a post-Christian culture is a challenge! It is a battle of mindsets- worldviews. One of the most challenging battles involves that of the “godly woman- the woman who fears the Lord.”Once again, lest we forget, we are in the world but we are not of the world (remember the prepositions are significant). As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “for though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Therefore, as we address the issue of the “godly woman” from the wisdom of our Lord, not from the opinions of Hollywood, or sociologists, or political leaders. It is to the Scripture that we must go!

In a culture that places its emphasis upon external beauty- which by the way goes away as the shape shifts and the hair color changes- and ooops wrinkles appear- the Bible says something very different. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). True beauty is not the externals but the heart. It manifests itself in chaste and respectful behavior. In an age of plunging necklines and shortening lengths, the picture of a godly woman is one who “adorns themselves in respectful apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness- with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

Hey guys- the essence of true beauty is the person, not the external trappings! True beauty is not that which focuses upon the body but upon the soul- the countenance of the person. Peter describes this as the “hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious” (1 Peter 3:4). Listen, my dear brothers, this is a beautiful woman!

Our culture says “external beauty!” Just look at the money spent on make-up, plastic surgery, exotic jewelry, outlandish behavior, see through dresses, and the list goes on. Who cares about the fashion on the Red Carpet or in the windows of Macy’s or Jones of New York! It is the heart that is the source of true beauty.

Please don’t think that I am saying that a godly woman is not to get dressed up or to use make-up or even wear fine jewelry. No way, Jose! What I am saying is “what is emphasized!” What is the focus? Is it external or is it internal? Does it stress the shape of the body or the state of the heart?

Think about it. As a follower of Christ, is the woman who loves the Lord- the truly beautiful woman- to define herself according to standards established by movie stars and models or by the Lord whom she seeks to serve? See ya!