Since we’re talking about making things look good, I can’t help but think about Paul’s exhortation to slaves to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” It’s at the end of a list of characters in Titus 2 so that Titus could “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (verse 1). There were qualities for older men (verse 2), older women (verse 3), young women (verse 5), younger men (verse 6), Titus himself (verses 7-8), and then slaves (verses 9-10). Here’s what correct teaching looks like:
Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything. (Titus 2:9-10 NET)
They show off all good faith and then show the beauty of God’s saving truth in all things. They “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (ESV).
The word “adorn” (KJV, NASB, ESV) is from kosmeo, to “cause something to have an attractive appearance through decoration” (BAGD), to order into beauty. Cosmology is the study of God’s ordering and adorning of the planets. Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatments. And so when it comes to the teaching of our Savior God, Christian κοσμῶσιν ἐν πᾶσιν means we’re to make it look good. We’re not adding value, we’re showing off the value.
Slaves could do it while submitting to their masters. Certainly we can do it while eating and drinking the Lord’s supper until He comes.