For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continue in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the word, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:23-25
In the fabled tale of "Snow White," the wicked stepmother owned a magic mirror. Every day she would look into the mirror and ask, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" An eerie looking spirit shrouded in smoke would appear in the mirror. He would then show her the fairest damsel in the land which was always herself. Every single day she would do this. Every single day she had to be reassured of her beauty. Every single day she needed to know no other maiden in the land was as beautiful as she. Every single day she needed to be reminded of what she looked like.
That's what someone does who is insecure in themselves. That's what someone does who can't trust what they saw yesterday. That's what someone does who can't remember from day to day who they truly are. They have an identity crisis. Finally, the fateful day came when the stepmother asked her redundant question. To her horror, instead of the eerie dude in the mirror showing her a reflection of herself, he showed her a reflection of Snow White. Of course, that's when the wicked stepmother began to plot her stepdaughter's demise.
In James 1:23-35, the brother of Jesus tells us of someone who is having an identity crisis. The person can't remember from day to day what he look like so he's having to remind himself by constantly looking in the mirror. James tells us that a person who hears the Word of God but does nothing about it is like that man. Forgetful. Maybe on purpose because they don't like what they see. Maybe because to remember would mean putting feet to what they hear. Maybe they don't obey because they're reluctant to trust God. Perhaps fear or indifference plays a part.
The day came when the stepmother didn't see her reflection in the mirror any longer. Instead of seeing herself she saw a reflection of Snow White. What she feared came to past...there was indeed someone fairer. To be honest, when we look into the perfect law of liberty we shouldn't see our reflection either but for us that is a good thing. We should see someone much fairer than we are...we should to see Jesus.
In 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Paul stated, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Here are some tough questions. When you look into the mirror, who do you honestly see? Do you see a person who is obedient to the purposes and plans of God? Do you see someone who wants to completely forget what God is asking of them? Do you see Jesus?
Application of God's Word:
1. Go ahead and ask yourself those tough questions. When you look into the mirror, who do you honestly see? Do you see a person who is obedient to the purposes and plans of God? Or are you running away (think Jonah) because you don't want to obey what it is God is calling you to do?
2. When you look in the mirror, who do you honestly see? Do you see Jesus? Who does your family and friends see?
3. If you aren't real crazy about your answers to the above questions, please don't walk in condemnation and despair. Admit the errors of your ways and ask for forgiveness. Ask the Lord to be your strength in helping you to obey one step at a time.
4. What DOES the Word of God say about your situation? God's Word can be a guide to help you walk through difficult days. You will indeed find the liberty and freedom to do what God is asking you to do.
5. Maybe you can start with your "want-to." Lord, help me to want to trust and obey You. Help me to want to be more than just a hearer. Help me to trust You completely when it comes to the doing.
Personal Matters:
My day didn't start out too good this morning due to a minor misunderstanding (thankfully, not with my husband). It truly was a minor misunderstanding but I have chosen to let it dictate my day and I've been grumpy. Unfortunately, I'm babysitting which means my grumpiness is spewing out over onto my grandchildren. If I were to reflect on my mood and attitude, I probably would rather forget what I've looked like in the eyes of others. However, God's Word makes it clear what I need to do. Now I have a choice. Be a hearer only or apply God's Word to my attitude. The crazy thing is if I will look into the perfect law of liberty and allow God to do an inward work, the moodiness will leave and I (and those around me) will be blessed. Uhm, excuse me...I need to go into my prayer closet for a few minutes. I'm feeling a little insecure right now and seem to be having an identity crisis. Later.
Here are some tough questions. When you look into the mirror, who do you honestly see? Do you see a person who is obedient to the purposes and plans of God? Do you see someone who wants to completely forget what God is asking of them? Do you see Jesus?
Application of God's Word:
1. Go ahead and ask yourself those tough questions. When you look into the mirror, who do you honestly see? Do you see a person who is obedient to the purposes and plans of God? Or are you running away (think Jonah) because you don't want to obey what it is God is calling you to do?
2. When you look in the mirror, who do you honestly see? Do you see Jesus? Who does your family and friends see?
3. If you aren't real crazy about your answers to the above questions, please don't walk in condemnation and despair. Admit the errors of your ways and ask for forgiveness. Ask the Lord to be your strength in helping you to obey one step at a time.
4. What DOES the Word of God say about your situation? God's Word can be a guide to help you walk through difficult days. You will indeed find the liberty and freedom to do what God is asking you to do.
5. Maybe you can start with your "want-to." Lord, help me to want to trust and obey You. Help me to want to be more than just a hearer. Help me to trust You completely when it comes to the doing.
Personal Matters:
My day didn't start out too good this morning due to a minor misunderstanding (thankfully, not with my husband). It truly was a minor misunderstanding but I have chosen to let it dictate my day and I've been grumpy. Unfortunately, I'm babysitting which means my grumpiness is spewing out over onto my grandchildren. If I were to reflect on my mood and attitude, I probably would rather forget what I've looked like in the eyes of others. However, God's Word makes it clear what I need to do. Now I have a choice. Be a hearer only or apply God's Word to my attitude. The crazy thing is if I will look into the perfect law of liberty and allow God to do an inward work, the moodiness will leave and I (and those around me) will be blessed. Uhm, excuse me...I need to go into my prayer closet for a few minutes. I'm feeling a little insecure right now and seem to be having an identity crisis. Later.
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