It's not what's inside that counts

To quote a movie, "Had ya going there didn't we?"
We all know that it's not the outside of a person that counts right? I mean, we're told to not "judge a book by its cover" and to look past a person's looks to find out what they really are like. We're admonished to choose our friends (and especially our life partners) by their character rather than their appearance. We all know that "beauty is only skin deep" and try not to be deceived by nice appearances. "It's the inside that counts", right? Wrong.
Can you imagine what our lives and destiny would be like right now if God indeed looked past our physical appearance and judged us (and associated with us) based on our character? Think about that for a minute... We know from His word that we are sinners who have transgressed His law and who are aweful on the inside. There is nothing good in us - our righteousness are as "filthy rags" in His sight. If He based His love for us by who we really are, He would have had nothing to do with us - and would give us what we deserve: hell for eternity with no hope of another option. Can you imagine not having salvation? I was struck by these thoughts the other night. Some things came to mind and I felt aweful. Then the thought came,"God chose to love us not based on what we look like or even who we are on the inside - He has absolutely no reason to love us at all - based on those things." I mean really, who do you know that would risk a pure and holy reputation and call murders, thieves, and rapists his brothers...friends...bride? That's an amazing amount on undeserved love! Who we are has nothing to do with it - it has everything to do with His grace and unfathonable love. It was cool to think about and a real comfort at the same time. And He's held nothing back - He's pulled out all the stops. Makes ya want to thank Him, no?