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From: gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: What about the ugly people? ( anger and dating )
Message-ID: <Sep.17.03.15.05.1990.17348@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 17 Sep 90 07:15:07 GMT
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[Jonggu Moon [890911]) asked about those who would like to have an SO
but can't because they don't fit current standards of beauty.
Sherry Ellington comments on the importance people place on beauty,
citing personal ads.  She is particularly upset at ads for Christian
male or female companions specifying tiny and petite or handsome
and strong.  Christ looks upon the heart.
--clh]

Paul writes telling us to take on this mind, which is the mind of
Christ.  That is. we should draw close to the Lord daily and let His
will become ours.

In doing this, we begin to see things as our Father sees them.  This
means that we begin to see sin from His viewpoint.  We begin to see
others as He sees them, and loves them.  And the more we see, the more
we draw closer to Him who loved us and gave himself for us.

Now there is a passage in Isaiah that speaks of Jesus (Isa. 53:1-12).
In verse 2, the Lord God says, "...he hath no form nor comeliness; and
when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him."
This doesn't sound like Jesus was to be physically handsome, rather it
sounds like He was to be like most of us--rather plain, if not a bit
ugly.  I know this is not the mental image that many have, nor is the
way Jesus has been portrayed in films or artwork.  Nonetheless, this is
what the Word of the living God says.

The beauty of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, was internal.  And this is
where our beauty is, as well.

So then, why do Christians look to the outside for beauty?  Could it be
that the world still has influence?

I'm not saying that there is something wrong with physical beauty, but
if that is all that interests a person what a shallow life.  Among the
Amish, Mennonites, and Brethren there is a saying when complementing a
person on their looks--you look plain.  It is a nice thing to have said
about you.

One last thing.  When we come to the Lord, do you suppose that He is
impressed with our finery, our jewelry, our wonderful make-up, our great
tan; or do you suppose that He looks into our hearts to see what we are
really like?  If He looks to the inside, where should we spend the most
time working?

For His glory,

Gene Gross