Video Ministries

Unfading Beauty

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and
the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of
your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is
of great worth in God's sight. 1 Peter 3:3, 4, NIV.

The pure religion of Jesus requires of its followers the simplicity of
natural beauty and the polish of natural refinement and elevated purity,
rather than the artificial and false. . . .

The religion of the Bible has nothing in it which would jar upon the finest
feelings. It is, in all its precepts and requirements, as pure as the
character of God and as elevated as His throne.

The Redeemer of the world has warned us against the pride of life, but not
against its grace and natural beauty. He pointed to all the glowing beauty
of the flowers of the field and to the lily reposing in its spotless purity
upon the bosom of the lake. . . .

A disposition in you to dress according to the fashion, and to wear lace and
gold and artificials for display, will not recommend to others your religion
or the truth that you profess. . . . Simple, plain, unpretending dress will
be a recommendation to my youthful sisters. In no better way can you let
your light shine to others than in your simplicity of dress and deportment.
You may show to all that, in comparison with eternal things, you place a
proper estimate upon the things of this life.

Now is your golden opportunity to form pure and holy characters for heaven.
You cannot afford to devote these precious moments to . . . beautifying the
external to the neglect of the inward adorning. . . .

God, who created everything lovely and beautiful that the eye rests upon, is
a lover of the beautiful. He shows you how He estimates true beauty. The
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is in His sight of great price. Shall we
not seek earnestly to gain that which God estimates as more valuable than
costly dress or pearls or gold? The inward adorning, the grace of meekness,
a spirit in harmony with the heavenly angels, will not lessen true dignity
of character or make us less lovely here in this world.

Religion, pure and undefiled, ennobles its possessor. You will ever find
with the true Christian a marked cheerfulness, a holy, happy confidence in
God, a submission to His providences, that is refreshing to the soul. By the
Christian, God's love and benevolence can be seen in every bounty he
receives. The beauties in nature are a theme for contemplation. In studying
the natural loveliness surrounding us, the mind is carried up through nature
to the Author of all that is lovely. All the works of God are speaking to
our senses, magnifying His power, exalting His wisdom. Every created thing
has in it charms which interest the child of God and mold his taste to
regard these precious evidences of God's love above the work of human skill
(Testimonies, vol. 3, pp. 375-377).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 305

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