“But let it be the hidden person of the heart,with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:4 RSV

Imperishable Jewels

One day I randomly searched blueletterBible.org with two words: God’s heart. Today’s verse touched me the most. In the world’s economy when I think of an imperishable jewel, I think of some big, blingy rock on a movie star’s finger or in a royal crown. But that’s not God’s economy; all I need to remember is, gold is heaven’s asphalt (Revelation 21:21).

In God’s economy, the imperishable jewel is a gentle and quiet spirit, or, as the Amplified Bible elaborates, “one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature.” I’m not saying it’s wrong to dress up or wear jewelry, nor is Peter in 1 Peter 3:3: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel…” We just need to realize where our real beauty comes from. It’s not what’s on the outside, but the inner beauty of the heart the Lord is concerned with—indeed, deems precious. What if we took as much time each morning tending to our gentle and quiet spirits as we did our outward adornments? How much of a difference would it make in our day and the way we respond and minister to those around us?

In our “Loving Well” Bible Study, when we came to 1 Corinthians 13:12 (“For now we see in a mirror, dimly….”), I admitted I rarely look in a mirror. I get dressed, brush my teeth and hair, glance briefly to make sure things are zipped and buttoned and that’s it. I’m sure it’s partly because I’m not exactly thrilled with what I see looking back at me. While discussing that in our group time, our dear group leader said something like: “Why don’t you ask God to show you what He sees when He looks at you?” Hmmm…

He sees a precious and imperishable jewel. Not because I’m all that, but because of His Son. Isaiah 43:4 (NLT) says, “Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to Me. You are honored, and I love you.” David Guzik’s commentary says, … “This is an Old Testament example of the truth in John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.’”

God also gives us His Spirit to dwell in us and to produce His fruit: love, joy peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23a). He provides the very things that make us precious to Him. All He asks us to do is take the time to develop them.

“Father God, thank You for loving us. Remind us to look at, and give attention to, our unfading inner beauty. Help us become the imperishable jewels You created us to be. Amen.”