In his first Epistle Saint Peter begins to stir things up with regard to what is expected of a believer in his or her very personal life relationships. In 3.3-4 we read: Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, This is a clear call for us not to attempt to make ourselves acceptable to those with whom we spend our lives based upon how we dress or behave. There must be more to us than how we look to them.

Looking nice and dressing well have very little to do with the type of character we present to others, and we need to be able to see the difference between who we really are and how we present ourselves to others. It is important to present ourselves as those who have their acts together, but we are not to be playing ‘dress-up’ to be accepted by: such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.

That which can only be known by spending quality time with someone is what really determines how we are to be known: Instead, it should be that of your inner self, It is the heart which makes the difference to the world, others, and even to our Lord, not how we look. This in no way implies that we are free to be an affront to people who may not understand who we are or what our lives are about in Christ Jesus.

When we are submitted to the Lord Jesus we will come to rely on what he imparts to us and how we share him with those with whom we deal. The faith life is not a matter of showing-off, but by the presentation of: the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. Anybody can dress up for an occasion, but the spirit of one submitted to Christ will power out of their lives for all to see.