The Right Answer

As Christians, we are exhorted to “be ready always to give an answer…” according to 1 Peter 3:15. In order to give an answer we must first prepare our hearts by the word of God (John 17:17).

The answer that is to be given here is to those who “glory in appearance, and not in heart.” And the answer is that the LORD looks on the heart of man and not the appearance of man. First, clean up the heart so it will match the appearance (1 Samuel 16:7; Mt. 23:26-28).

Christianity is not something that is outward working itself inward but rather something that is inward working itself outward. The Holy Spirit dwells within our bodies, therefore we are to “work out” (Philippians 2:12) that which is already within.

To glory in appearance is to praise and approve of one’s self, but 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 says, “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commnedeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.”

Once we get the “answer” straight then are we able to present our bodies to the Lord as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) and then are we prepared to be an “epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:” (2 Corinthians 3:2).