Makeover

Posted on November 15, 2018 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Have you noticed how many “makeover” shows there are on television lately?  There are home makeovers, body makeovers, style makeovers, child discipline makeovers…it seems that everyone is trying to take what they have and have someone else make it better or make it totally new. Everyone is searching for the perfect makeover to make their life complete or perfect. I’m just wondering how long it takes after the makeover is complete and the cameras are no longer rolling for the realization to kick in that the new look may have made a more attractive appearance or a more comfortable life, but that it is all just the “façade” that has been altered. The hole is still there and dissatisfaction with self or circumstances still exists even if the outside package looks prettier. The heart is still empty. There is a longing for true change from the inside out…the kind of true change that only comes from a heart transformed by Jesus Christ.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m not against makeovers per se, but if it is only the outside that is changed, then what is rotten on the inside will eventually make its way back to the outside.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they were so concerned about outward appearances. And from that perspective, on the outside they looked great. Jesus was much more concerned with what was on the inside.

Matthew 23:25-26 (NIV), Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Jesus could see the “inside.” He could see their hearts and from that perspective it was pretty ugly in there. All Jesus could see was self-centeredness and greed. All they could think about was “self” and how they could get more of whatever their hearts desired. Jesus had the answer for making the inside beautiful, clean and satisfied. I remember all too well how I used to be only concerned with the “outside,” with the appearance of things, yet my insides were so disgusting….until I invited Jesus in to occupy my heart. Therein is the true “makeover,” the only “makeover” that really matters. This “makeover” is not a temporary fix or window dressing but a change from the inside that lasts for eternity.

MaryAnn Kierna

This devotional was first published in Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2.

Written by MaryAnn Kiernan: Mary Ann is a former staff member who served as the Intake Coordinator for the America’s Keswick Colony of Mercy and as a Biblical Counselor. She is a contributor to “Crossing the Jordan,” and “Real Victory Real life” Volume 2. She and her husband John have 2 grown, married sons and 6 wonderful grandchildren. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

The Daily Bible Reading: Luke 24 , John 20-21 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote:“The change we have been striving after is not to be produced by any more striving after. It is to be wrought upon us by the molding of hands beyond our own. As the branch ascends, and the bud bursts, and the fruit reddens under the cooperation of influences from the outside air, so man rises to the higher stature under invisible pressures from without.”– Henry Drummond

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Acts 24:15