Banes S. Lal
Every morning, as we stand before the bathroom mirror, we engage in a familiar ritual. We groom ourselves, check for any imperfections, and make the necessary adjustments before stepping out to face the day. This daily routine provides a powerful metaphor found in the book of James, where the law of God is compared to a mirror—something we should regularly reflect upon. Just as a mirror reveals our physical flaws, the law of God exposes our spiritual shortcomings and areas in need of correction.
James addresses those who profess faith yet neglect to live by God's commands, likening them to people who look in a mirror and immediately forget their reflection. This forgetfulness is a stark reminder that merely hearing God's word without applying it renders our faith ineffective. True faith demands action; it requires us to be doers of the word, not just hearers.
"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:22-25, KJV).
Imagine glancing in the mirror at 7:45 on a Monday morning and forgetting your appearance by 8 o'clock. Such an absurdity highlights the importance of truly seeing and remembering what the mirror reveals. Mirrors in James's time were made of polished metal, requiring careful and attentive examination. Similarly, God's law, the perfect mirror, demands our full attention to reflect His character and will.
The Bible, more than any physical mirror, provides a true reflection of our hearts. It reveals what God expects and demands of us, uncovering our rebellion, foolishness, and idolatry. This daily reflection means taking advantage of the opportunity for spiritual growth and aligning ourselves with Christ.
Too often, we approach God's word superficially, glancing briefly and moving on without deep reflection. But James urges us to "look intently" into the perfect law and persevere. This means examining Scripture from every angle, allowing it to reveal our true selves. When we look deeply into God's word, it becomes personal, convicting us of our faults and guiding us towards transformation.
Scripture is replete with mirrors—Paul's letters, the Sermon on the Mount, the book of Proverbs—each challenging us to examine our lives. These reflections confront us with hard questions: Have we truly loved God with all our heart, soul, and mind? Have we loved our neighbour as ourselves? Such honest introspection can be painful but also necessary for growth.
The good news is that as we confront our failures, we also encounter God's grace. Every page of Scripture points us to Jesus, who embodies God's love and forgiveness. This constant reminder of divine grace inspires gratitude and a desire to live in accordance with God's will.
In our modern world, we have abundant opportunities to engage with Scripture—through reading, listening, and attending church. But it's crucial to go beyond mere engagement; we must reflect deeply and act on what we learn. Are we integrating God's word into our daily lives? Are we not just hearing but doing?
Having access to God's word is a privilege (compared to some parts of the world) and a joyful responsibility. We must gaze into this mirror, believe its reflection of us, and take action. We should thank God for the Christ-like image we see and seek His forgiveness and repentance for areas that fall short. This mirror offers us the chance to reflect, repent, and transform.
Over the past months, I've come to realize not just the value of gazing into this mirror but the challenge of believing what it reveals. It's easy to doubt or deny what we see in Scripture, but if we trust that God's word is true and perfect, we must believe its reflection. This belief demands that we trust the Bible's portrayal of our inner selves, even when it's uncomfortable.
Let it guide us to recognize our flaws, inspire us to change, and draw us closer to the image of Christ. Let's look deeply, believe fully, and act accordingly, knowing that through this reflection, we grow in faith and love.
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