Outward Appearances

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”

Hebrews 11:1-8 

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🎭 Outward 🎭 Appearances

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 KJV).

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s” (2 Corinthians 10:7).

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Why is it that we pay more attention to outward appearances? Could it be because we only believe that which we see (temporal, physical, tangible, touchable)? 

Someone raised a very hard-pressed question of opinion about a peace sign or symbol with strong reference to his or her understanding of its symbolism—meaning through time’s dispensation regarding supposed military opinion (cowardliness) and/or a former “hippie” expression (Para Personal Communication—Mosley, 2018). We found scriptural support that the things, i.e. humanity, clouds, forests, trees, rivers, oceans, streams, mountains, prairies, deserts, etc.——which appear or are in our view, did not derive from the things we can thus see in front of us;——i.e. other people, animals, skyscrapers, boats, planes, trains, automobiles, etc., but were rather contrived, created or arrived from somewhere sight unseen or are seen by faith as written in Hebrews Eleven (Para, vv. 1-8, KJV).

 

Subjectively; we have gone over similar studies, agreements and refutations via research before and/or on the basis of popular opinion for additional support. Yet, over and given time, we have come to realize that everything has symbolism affixed to it. Consequently, some things are given much reprieve or amnesty (i.e. flags, statues, chains, ropes, sheets/hoods or other symbols representing violence, oppression  slavery, etc.) over others via dispensation.

 

Subjectively, no matter what symbolism we may adjoin an idea; expressed or otherwise contiguous of a person, place and/or thing, we must simply wait for the revealed purposes via the more innate one(s). Some may feel this is a weak approach to such a weighty topic. Yet given a subjective moral aptitude, we find it fortunate in doing so based upon the following:

• If we practice accepting or buying goods strictly for their label (outward packaging or look), we could never fully appreciate its content, quality, or dependability.
• We may never know what truly went into the process of packaging the product in order to appreciate any intrinsic value(s) it may hold.
• Sometimes the inside or inner detail of a thing has a way of delineating the outer appearances.
• Rarely, though the outward appearance gives an introduction of what’s probable expectations.
• The abrasive austerer exterior——(i.e. something ostensible or superficial)——of a thing; can really hide what is delicate, fragile and/or very flawless or unembellished on the inside of a thing.

For example; diamonds don’t grow on trees, don’t appear from out of nowhere and do not as a norm,  nor initially arrive wrapped in cute or fancy gift boxes. They come from a  carbon/molten hard, rocky habitat deep within the earth’s crust, whereby it——as does everything on earth, had a purpose toward its fulfillment.  We cannot keep holding on to things which no longer serve us or rather we shouldn’t. Longevity is not a free for all.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5;17). 

There are plenteous things in this day and age (time——or the dispensation thereof), which no longer serve us such as hate; racism; bigotry; unrighteous judgement; oppression; discrimination, more. Yet, still and unfortunately, we are guilty of still utilizing some of them.

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“One who is always deceived, often allows themselves to be «» Exercise wisdom & discernment «» Seek to know if it’s good or no «» Everything that glitters ain’t gold” (n.d.) 

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When does it become a unified effort to put things of this nature behind, in order to move forward?  

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The answer is always—every day, are we to attempt to lay aside every challenging weight, which seeks our demise or destruction. No matter how many clues exist in time regarding eternity, none of them have an exact itinerary for the departure time(s) into it. Therefore, taking advantage of the time at hand, to make this world we live in a tad better is a notable and very courageous effort. It will not ever be the easiest, but it will be honorable. Remember, no man knows the hour or the day…———“But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36) 

IEPMSTC Web Admin

Finally, whatever insentient or inanimate sign “peace” takes on for us, it should never push us towards the sowing of discord. 

~the Messenger  

Isaiah 40:28———Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

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ITWS 

1 Samuel 16:7 | 1 Peter 1:8-9 & 3:3-4 | Proverbs 31:30 | 2 Corinthians 4:18 & 5:17 | 1 Timothy 2:9-10 | Matthew 7:15 | Hebrews 11:1-8 | Isaiah 40:28 | 

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❤Shalom & Blessings

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#IAMNRU ~the Messenger is minuscule to the profundity of the message… To GOD be ALL the glory, Amen. Matthew 25:31-46

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