13 October 2005 Devotion for Today “Mirror Image” James 1:21-25
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 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; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But 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.”
Have you looked in the mirror, lately? For some that is an encouraging invitation. For others a frightening prospect. People have been looking into mirrors for thousands of years. Making mirrors was an art form in Biblical times. Before that, I suppose they looked into pools of water to see their reflections. Everyone needs to look into a mirror at least once a day. You need a mirror to see if you look presentable enough to appear in public. You need a mirror to see how your hair looks. You need a mirror to back your car out of the driveway or to get your boat down a boat ramp. Just because one looks into a mirror does not imply vanity.
The Word of God is a mirror of our souls. When we look into it, we immediately see a mental picture of ourselves. Sometimes the reflection is not too flattering. At other times it is disheartening. But the mirror does not conform to the image. It is the image that must conform to the mirror. Therefore we must make the needed adjustments as we take a long look at ourselves. James tells us, as we peer into the reflection, to lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness. Jesus said that it is what comes out of a man that defiles him. The world is full of filthiness. Filthy talk, filthy language, filthy jokes, etc. That ought never to be part of the Christian’s life. We are to be doers of the Word- not hearers only. It amazes me the number of people who go to church- park themselves in front of a preacher for an hour- and still manage to live the same way they came in. When some come they act as though they are doing God a favor by being there. If they are Christians, the image of Christ is not reflecting in their lives much if at all.
Have you ever been to an amusement park and observed a hall of mirrors? Many of the mirrors are made to make us look distorted and funny. We are amused as we watch our image shrink or grow fat as we move around in front of it. Being a doer-and not a hearer-of the Word causes us to see a distorted image of ourselves. The worst part of all is that others can see the distortion, but we cannot. Its like James says, we look into the mirror and then walk away and forget what we look like.
What image are you casting today? Is it a reflection of Jesus Christ? May we live to be mirror images of Him and we will be blessed-and be a blessing to others.
Have a blessed day.
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