The Beautiful People

by Ed Sanderson, Sr.
Vacaville, California

"How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people?"

That was the Beatles’ question in 1967 when "the beautiful people" made lots of money, rode jets around the world, and dressed in stylish clothes. But the Beatles’ song celebrated a different beauty, more than skin deep and dollar wide.

This is a very inviting idea to many of us. It is also inviting to God, Who bought us as a people who are eager to do the beautiful (Titus 2:14). We are careful to devote ourselves to doing what is beautiful because these things are profitable and beautiful for people (Titus 3:8, 14). Truly wise people show our wisdom by a beautiful life of purity and peacefulness (James 3:13).

Being beautiful is central to God’s church. Paul wanted the Christians that he was teaching to do beautiful things even if he looked unapproved (II Cor. 13:7). Mature Christians train our senses by spiritual exercise so that we tell the difference between things that are beautiful and things that are ugly (Heb. 5:14). Christian leaders are to set an example in everything by doing what is beautiful (Titus 2:7). Christians assemble together in order to consider one another to provoke to love and beautiful deeds (Heb. 10:24-25). Christians may live such beautiful lives in front of pagans that they will glorify God even as they are accusing us unjustly (I Pet. 2:10).

So what makes people beautiful to God?

We should probably start with the Word of God. Moses’ Law is beautiful (Rom. 7:14) when it is used properly according to the gospel (I Tim. 1:8). Timothy was to guard the beautiful deposit entrusted to him – probably the gospel (II Tim. 1:14). Bible reading and study revise our aesthetic taste to appreciate a beauty beyond the pleasurable, the pretty, and the proud (I Jn. 2:15-17).

God says that it is beautiful for Christians to remain sexually pure by either abstaining (I Cor. 7:1, 8, 26) or by marrying and remaining faithful to our spouse (I Cor. 7:37-38). Prayerful cooperation with secular government in the freedom and peace conducive to Christian living and teaching is called beautiful (I Tim. 2:3). Christians pray that we have a conscience which is beautiful by desiring to live honorably in every way (Heb. 13:18). This is very different from the "beautiful people" of People Magazine.

In fact, less celebrity is more beautiful to God. It is not beautiful for Christians to brag (I Cor. 5:6). It is beautiful to be zealous if our purpose is to do what is beautiful rather than for others to seem dependent on us (Gal. 4:18). It is beautiful for Christians to decide not to do anything that leads another Christian to violate the conscience and thereby stumble (Rom. 14:21). Less fame’s fanfare and more loving light are beautiful.

Beautiful deeds will become visible – as will those which are ugly (I Tim. 5:25). Christians are to be careful to do what would be beautiful in everyone’s view (Rom. 12:17). Paul even looked out for what would look beautiful in everyone’s eyes even when he was "doing good" in charity for fellow Christians (II Cor. 8:21). Beauty is not subjectively self-absorbed.

God sees an Overseer’s work in the church is a beautiful task (I Tim. 3:1) for those with such a reputation among outsiders (I Tim. 3:7). Special Servants who serve well achieve a beautiful standing (I Tim. 3:13). Christians who serve by pointing out God’s truths are beautiful servants, nourished on the words of the faith and the healthy teaching (I Tim. 4:6). Specially qualified widows supported by churches are to be well known for their beautiful deeds (I Tim. 5:10). Christians who use God’s gifts to serve others are beautiful stewards of God’s many-faceted grace (I Pet. 4:10). Not headliners as much as foot washers, these beautiful people.

This foot washing service is also more than merely meeting the physical needs of the poor. Yes, wealthy Christians do need to be rich in beautiful deeds so that they treasure up a beautiful/firm foundation for the time to come (I Tim. 6:18-19). But Jesus said that the poor woman who spent her money to anoint Jesus for his burial instead of spending it for other poor people did a beautiful thing to Him (Matt. 26:10/Mk. 14:6). There is a spiritual hierarchy in God’s view of beautiful people.

This is a "hard saying" to our materialistic ears. Faith expressed with mouth and hand is beautiful to God. Christians make the beautiful confession in the presence of many witnesses, just as Jesus did (I Tim. 6:12-13).

Such beauty does not diminish with age and infirmity to God’s eyes – unless we forsake it. Christians need never wear out so that we quit doing beautiful things since we will eventually succeed if we keep going (Gal. 6:9). Timothy was told to endure hardship as a beautiful soldier of Christ Jesus (II Tim. 2:3). Paul said that he had wrestled the beautiful contest of faith (II Tim. 4:7).

But people who know what is beautiful and don’t do it are sinning (James 4:17) and Christians who have tasted the beauty of the word of God and then fall away are impossible to renew (Heb. 6:5). What makes the difference? What is the key beauty secret for God’s people?

Having hearts strengthened by grace is beautiful (Heb. 13:9). Maybe this is the true secret of beauty. What a gift from God, that we should be His workmanship – His work of art – in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:10)! What a joy!

"How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people?"