“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewellery, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT
Peter continued to write to the women in the congregation, who were presumably assembled to hear as his letter read out. He contrasted the outward paraphernalia of how people look that was demanded in that age, much as it has been ever since, with the beauty that God desires. The so called global beauty industry in the 21st Century is big business, and the cost of cosmetics alone is expected to reach $750 billion each year by 2025. But not one cent of that will get a person into Heaven. It should be added that this includes what men spend on cosmetics as well. Peter singled out “fancy hairstyles, expensive jewellery, or beautiful clothes” but these days we need to add cosmetics and the costs of surgery, that is increasingly becoming desirable. Perhaps a search for perpetual youth drives an industry that is doomed to fail in the end. The wonderful thing for us pilgrims is that when we reach Heaven we will receive a new body. In Philippians 3:21 we read, “He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control“. There’s more to read about our new bodies in 2 Corinthians 5.
We all love beautiful things. I know a man who owns 2 Porsche cars and 2 Ducati motorbikes as well as a Land Rover for everyday use. He is what we call in the UK a “petrolhead” and he is besotted with his expensive possessions and hobby. But like everything else we own, he will be unable to take his belongings with him into Heaven, or wherever he will end up when he dies. No need for them in the afterlife! Our beautiful possessions, clothes and jewellery must be held in open hands, in the knowledge that one day they will pass on to someone else or, for most items, a rubbish heap. Jesus taught, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:19-21).
What do we pilgrims value in life? Our possessions will remain on Planet Earth when we die, so a relatively short term enjoyment will suddenly stop at a time coincident with our last breaths. But we have the opportunity to acquire Heavenly treasure, and this will be stored for us for a time when we can be reconciled with it. What is this treasure? We find it by reading the Bible. This Book, written by God, contains many nuggets that we can extract and apply to our lives. Perhaps a good place to start is in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” These are all Heavenly-bankable assets that will please God and are things that He sees are precious. As we develop this fruit in our lives, God sees a burgeoning inner beauty that pleases Him.
A fancy hairstyle is of no benefit in Heaven. We will receive a new body, and, presumably, a new hairstyle when we get to Heaven. But what will shine forth to God and others there is the “beauty that comes from within”. Heaven is a place where a different value system prevails.
Dear God. Heaven will be an amazing place for Your people to live in. We only get a glimpse through Scripture not what it will be like, but in Your presence we will have no fears. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 