How often do you see your reflection in a mirror? Some studies say that the average person looks in a mirror 8 to 10 times a day. Other surveys say it could be as many as 60 to 70 times a day, if glancing at our reflection in store windows and smart phone screens is included.
Why do we look so often? Most experts agree that its to check our appearance, especially before meetings or social gatherings. If something is amiss, we want to fix it. Why look if we dont plan to change whats wrong?
The apostle James said that reading or hearing Gods Word without acting on it is like looking in a mirror and forgetting what weve seen (1:22-24). But the better alternative is to look closely and act on what we see. James said, He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (v.25).
If we hear Gods Word without taking action, we fool only ourselves (v.22). But when we examine ourselves in light of Gods Word and obey His instructions, God liberates us from all that keeps us from looking more and more like Him each day.
INSIGHT
: Various metaphors are used in Scripture to describe Gods Word: a mirror (James 1:23); fire and a hammer (Jer. 23:29), a lamp (Ps. 119:105), water (Eph. 5:26), a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12), a seed (1 Peter 1:23), food (Job 23:12), and milk (1 Peter 2:2). The Word of God reveals, consumes, breaks, illuminates, purifies, convicts, regenerates, satisfies, and nourishes the believer. It is not enough to know Gods Word; we need to obey it (James 1:22-25).
Good evening, Rus!
So good to see you and thank you for our beautiful lesson from God’s Word!
1Co 13:12...For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.