Online Articles
Looking In The Mirror
Looking In The Mirror
Paul Adams
The scriptures tell us that the word of God is a mirror that tells us what kind of persons that we ought to be. "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was. But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (Js 1:23-25). This passage teaches us several things:
Look Into God’s Word
Many people are not interested in what God has to say on any matter. James writes "who looks". A person who wants to be pleasing to God, will be student of God’s Word. Every good thing that God would have us do, he has revealed in Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Take time to see what God has to say, read the Bible!
It Shows Us What We Should Be
When we look into God’s word, we are looking into the "perfect law of liberty". Scripture shows us what God expects of us. We must change to be what God has revealed that he wants us to be. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
We Must Continue
James reminds us to "continue therein". As we continually look into the mirror of God’s word, we must also continually make sure we are patterning our lives after the teachings found therein. This is essential to remain faithful and to be saved. "Be faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life"
(Rev. 2:10b).
Be A Doer
When we read the scriptures, we are not just reading some nice philosophy. The Bible is not just a book of good suggestions. This holy book is God’s plan for how we are to live our lives. God gave the specific words that he wanted revealed to man. "holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. 1:21). These words are to be obeyed and practiced in our everyday lives. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17). We are to be diligent students of the scriptures so that we may know how to live a life that is pleasing to God.
