For
if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth
away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James
1:23-24
We examine our appearances at some
point every day. We often do it when we wake up and head to the bathroom where
we see our face in the mirror. Upon seeing that appearance, we make
adjustments and change the condition by seeking to improve our disheveled state
because we want to do the best we can to portray the best image of
ourselves.
The Word of the Lord is the mirror
for our souls. When we look into it, we fully see the functions that God
intended for the Word He gave us. Bro. Leroy Brownlow once described these
functions as follows:
1)
It reveals the origin of the soul: (Gen 2:7).
2)
It reveals the value of the soul: (Matt. 16:26).
3)
It reveals the disfigurements of the soul: (Gal 5:19-21).
4)
It reveals the destiny of the soul. (Matt 25:45).
The
Word of the Lord must be used effectively as the mirror of our soul. If we
properly do so, we will be numbered among the righteous at the end of days.
1)
We must use the Word constantly: Psa. 1:1-2
2)
We must use it skillfully, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Tim 2:15)
3)We
must be obedient, for there is no profit in being a hearer and not a doer
(Jam.1:23-24)
4)There
is profit in looking and acting upon what we see. (James 1:25)[i]
Brethren, we must use every
opportunity to look at ourselves and compare it to that perfect law of liberty
and continueth therein. That is why we keep on striving to look more each day
like the author and finisher of our faith, Christ Jesus (Heb 12:2).
Grace
and Peace,
Ryan
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