God looks on the heart, (1 Sam. 16:7) we can’t, the best we can do is attempt to interpret actions performed adequately, to listen and hear what others say, and then to watch if those words are backed up with deeds, but whether or not they are done in love or not is all but impossible to judge.
This is why so many like to say that we should never judge anyone, it is of course a misinterpretation of the Scriptures, and repeated most generally by those who do not trust their spiritual ability to judge properly (1 Cor. 2:15) or simply do not want to get involved, at least not in the front row, so to speak. I have watched mass murderers and serial killers brought into courtrooms wearing a suit and tie, I see the great lengths that many religious organizations go to wear the most, shall we say, interesting of apparel, one does not need to expend much effort to see that the higher up the ladder, the more expensive the clothing, not to mention the items that nearly all, when it is economically feasible, or in most cases when they do not mind carrying an incredible debt load, how the adornments of the world are not only worn on the body, but surround them in their personal possessions.
“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:” (Prov. 30:8) is not the way of the world, my friends. The world’s motto is and always has been the same, “Clothes make the man,” and the world has for the most part taken over not only the buildings but much of the congregation of what we call the church.
It is quite easy to see in most places around the world, especially if one looks at the Roman Catholic Institution and their massive gothic masterpieces of human achievement, robes and exquisite attire, but not only there, many church buildings are not architecturally designed to worship God, but to pull people in with ornate windows, soft, padded carpet and pews, visually stunning exterior designs, while those who stand behind the pulpit feel a need to either wear a robe or other accoutrement that sets them apart, perhaps that nice three piece suit. The members of the congregation will dress to impress, but not for the Lord, the only thing that is missing in their apparel, their lifestyle, the items they surround themselves with is a heart for the Lord.
Man has and always will look on the outward appearance, and whether they will admit it to themselves or not, they judge. “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment.” (James 2:2) We are not only concerned with how we appear outwardly to the masses, but we want to in many cases impress them at the same time. We want others to think well of us, yet we say we are crucified with Christ, (Gal. 2:20) we do not want to judge unjustly, yet we look at the outward appearance, and nearly always instantaneously judge, we speak to a person, even for a short time, and form an opinion.
“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2) But the paintings and statues of Christ portray a strong, virile, handsome man.
It is pride, on both ends of the spectrum, and most I fear do not even see it within themselves, those that do though hate it. We are a species who is well adapted at looking at others, but not ourselves in these truths, we fear to see ourselves as God sees us, but we do not hesitate to imagine that how we see others is how He sees them also.
The wrath of God abides on sinners, (John 3:36) the unrepentant, they are wicked, (Heb. 10:26) and not even their names will be remembered (Eccl. 9:5), but “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1) We are children of the light, (1 Thess. 5:5) the sooner you realize the truth that the Lord God can, and does, look right through all those outward accoutrements that you have placed on yourself and surrounded yourself with, the sooner you will begin to look at the real you, what you see there can always use a little refining, something the Lord is more than willing, and able, to help you with. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb. 4:13)
