Quality and Excellence

Chuck Swindoll says, "Several years ago a man told me that his first contact with a Christian was so offensive he "never wanted to hear about Jesus again." He said the person who witnessed to him had bad breath and body odor, never once smiled, was dressed in clothing completely out of date, and angrily closed his remarks with, 'Don't blame Jesus if you go to hell.'

"Meanwhile, I've just finished reading the account in First Kings where God worked through Solomon in the building of the temple. What quality! What attention to details! What exacting requirements! What fabulous beauty! No one could ever say that God didn't care how attractive His workmanship was. All you have to do is look at the beauty and intricacy of the world He created.

"As Christians, we represent the magnificent King of kings. So does our church. We may not have a fortune, but whatever we do or build or sing or print or teach or type or promote or present certainly ought to be attractive and appealing. The same is true for us individually. Our wardrobe may be limited, but it can always be neat and clean. We Christians have enough barriers to overcome in this society without increasing the friction by sloppy dress, poor workmanship, and offensive habits that repel rather than attract.

"Let's not change our message. But it will be worth it to change our appearance from the ugly duckling to the swan. We are His workmanship, and all we do should reflect that beauty and grace."

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From Dallas Seminary Daily Devotional, 4/2/04