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. James 1:23-24
Mirrors are great for looking into to see what one looks for oneself and most people use them every day. It can show flaws and successes in getting ready for the day. However, once one stops looking in the mirror, one can quickly forget about the flaws or what one really looks like to others.
James opens his letter expressing the need to be a doer of the word. Those who don’t do what the word says are like looking in a mirror and then forgetting what one looks like and is.
The world is really big on a person being themselves and doing what they feel in the moment. This can change from moment to moment with no solid foundation. People go around questioning who they are and never really knowing the answer. They look towards others and celebrities to determine who they are.
It is common for believers in the church to be the same way as the world, not knowing who they really are. They hear God’s word and enjoy the good parts, but ignore or throw out the difficult parts. All they want to hear is about love, joy and peace, without having to do what it says.
Being a believer means one has chosen to hear God’s word, believe it and do what it says. Many look into God’s word, but never obey it, forgetting who they are in Christ–a disciple and servant of God.
God’s word is a mirror that reveals who one is and what that person is supposed to do. Believers are to be one who does what God’s word says to do at all times.
It is easy for you to look in a mirror and later forget some of what you saw. In the same way it is easy to look into God’s word and forget what it says you are to do. Take time to look into God’s word, hear what it says and then do what it says to do. Be the true believer and servant of God that God has made and called you to be. Do not forget who God made you to be.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know who God has called you to be; that you will do what God calls you to do; and that you will not forget what God’s word says to you.
Photo by Rinald Rolle on Unsplash
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