2 CORINTHIANS 5:12-17
In February of 1960, four black men refused to leave Woolworth’s, one of the world’s largest retailers, after they were denied service. The four men were students from an all-black college and the place they sat was a “whites only” lunch counter. One of them, Franklin Eugene McCain (January 3, 1941 – January 9, 2014) was an American civil rights activist and member of the Greensboro Four. According to him, he noticed an older white woman seated nearby looking at them. He concluded that her thoughts were unpleasant toward them and their protest against segregation. Not long after he noticed her, she walked over to them, put her hands on their shoulders, and said, “Boys, I am so proud of you.”
Recalling the event years later, McCain said he learned from that day never to predict anyone. Instead he should pause to consider others and seek an opportunity to talk with them.
The early Church, like ours today, was often divided based on race, personality, language, and culture. Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth to help them respond to those who were more concerned with outward appearance than with what is in the heart. Because Jesus Christ died for all, Paul said, “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 5:16). This echoes God’s words to Samuel about choosing a new king for Israel: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).
First impressions can mislead us because we do not know the heart. We can often be mistaken since we only know in part. May we all look closely to see the person inside. Everyone is made in the image of God and can become a new creation in Christ.
🙏 Lord as we look at people, help us to remember that what is in the heart matters as much as what we see outside. May we not be deceived by the outward appearance in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
