When we go to a washroom, many of us look at ourselves in
a mirror. Surprisingly, recent studies suggest that men take a glance at a
mirror more than women throughout the day. In our culture however, women are more critical of themselves when they look at the mirror. This is because women are
judged on their appearance more than men, and standards of female beauty are
considerably higher and less constant. The standard for beauty changes with
time. Today we are going to talk about a different kind of mirror. It’s a
different kind of standard. It doesn’t
change with time or culture.
James, in this book, says that the Word of God is a mirror.
The point of God’s commands is for us to obey them. Unfortunately, there are many people even in the church who only have head knowledge of the Bible. The sad thing is they don’t obey what the Bible commands.
It is important to realize that James is addressing church-going people. He is not writing to pagans, but to those who regularly hear the word of God. He is talking to people like us. The challenge is, we now live in a world full of lies (the worst form of a lie is self-deception)
We take some comfort in the fact that we hear the word every Sunday. In fact, we label ourselves as Believers and the non-Christians, Unbelievers. We can sit in church for years, listening to sermon after sermon, but if we never allow the Word we hear preached change us, then we are self-deceived.
“To hear the word without doing it leads to self-deception”
Correct application must always be the result of correct interpretation.
To study the word just to fill your head with knowledge, without applying the word, defeats God’s purpose in giving it. Scripture’s purpose is stated in 2 Timothy 3:17 “So that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. Holding God’s Words in our mind is not necessarily a character-changing quality, it should penetrate our hearts. The Word of God is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
James used a very interesting analogy in verse 23. He said we are like that man in a mirror. The mirror is God’s Word. By merely looking at oneself in a mirror is not necessarily an appearance-changing experience. The mirror can tell us our hair is a mess, but unless we get out the brush and attack the problem, the tangles will remain.
CONCLUSION
It takes a lot of work to understand the Bible. As you read the word, always be asking how it applies to your life. If you can’t figure out how a text applies, move on to those that plainly apply.
I am happy that the Apostle James added verses 25-26. He said: But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
When you look into the Bible you will see not only a reflection of yourself but the real you. But some of you will not pay attention. You will ignore its warnings. You will just close it up, keep it under your arm and go away.
What you have seen is a picture of yourself. Don't try to change the mirror. Change yourself. Now what are you waiting for?
Prayer
Wherever you are, whatever you situation you may be -- you need the love of Jesus in your life. Please say this prayer sincerely from your heart:
Father God, I confess all my sins to you today. Please forgive me. Today, I open my heart to your Son Jesus Christ. I accept Him in my life as my Savior and as my Lord. May the Holy Spirit come to my life and make me the kind of person you want me to be. In Jesus Name, I pray.
Amen.
The above article is an excerpt from a sermon delivered at WCCC Richmond during its service on
Sunday, August 16, 2015.
I apologize if there are grammatical and spelling errors. I also apologize if I have missed acknowledging or making proper references to my sources, if any. as it is purely unintentional.
If you are looking for a church in British Columbia, Canada please visit our website at:
www.wordchristiancommunity.com
No comments:
Post a Comment