Appearances 3

1 Corinthians 4:5

“Just wait ‘til your father comes home!” That is an old expression that many are familiar with. Mothers exasperated with the behavior of their children or upset about an event that took place during the day would remind the children that when the father returned then the whole matter would find resolution.

It isn’t so much that a mother is unable to deal with the children, and the expression could just as easily apply to waiting for the mother to return. The idea is that when both parents are together then the family is whole and any issues can be dealt with together.

In 1 Corinthians Paul offers us some advice on waiting for our heavenly Father. What should we not do? What will God do?

Our frustration with false appearances can be great. We may feel very exasperated with people we encounter who give a good presentation of holy and righteous living, when in fact they are not as holy and Godly as they should be.

But we are not to be the ones who judge them. It is not up to us to ferret out all those who are not living the way they should or whose hearts are not where their behavior would indicate.

It is the work of God to reveal the true and faithful. But this is also a warning to us. We should examine our own intentions, our own inner being, to see if we are truly faithful and merciful. Or are we simply presenting a façade of goodness when inside we are thinking and feeling the wrong things?

All will be made clear when we stand before our Lord. All will come to light in the presence of God.

We may be able to put on a good show, to act holy, to dress holy, to go through the motions of holy living. But God knows our hearts and He knows our true nature and intentions. We should examine ourselves to be certain we are not neglecting the justice and love of God, no matter what our behavior says.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Is there anything hidden in your own darkness that you need to bring to light and change?