God’s Mirror (James 1:22-25), “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.” Most of us used a mirror this morning. In fact, most people use a mirror several times a day. The reason is obvious. We want to know how we look and we want to look our best. A mirror is a tool we use to improve our appearance. Vanity ought not to place us before the mirror, but good common sense should. We all need to improve our appearance from time to time! (Example: Bill Cosby TV special. His tie was crooked the whole time!) James says the person who hears God’s word but will not obey it is like a man who looks into a mirror, sees his appearance, but fails to improve himself. He forgets what he saw - it makes no impression on him. Since we all can make spiritual improvement in our lives, we must not be like this self-deluded man. Consider these points in the comparison of God’s word, the gospel of Christ, to a mirror: James 1:22-25

God’s Mirror We must know how we look to God (1:23; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Acts 2:38-42) We must know how we look to God  (James 1:23), “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” God’s word gives us God’s picture of us. We must see ourselves as God sees us. So, we should examine ourselves with the law of liberty (2 Corinthians 13:5), “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified.” It will show us our sin and teach us what to do about them (Romans 3:23), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 6:23), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Acts 2:38-42), “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.“ 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

God’s Mirror We must know how we look to God (1:23; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Acts 2:38-42) We should want to improve our spiritual appearance (James 1:24; 1:25; Proverbs 12:2) We should want to improve our spiritual appearance (James1:24), “for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” Nothing is gained by using God’s word to learn of our spiritual condition yet refusing to repent and obey God. (Proverbs 12:2), “A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.” One will be blessed by making the necessary improvements revealed by God’s word (James 1:25), “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.”

God’s Mirror We must know how we look to God (1:23; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Acts 2:38-42) We should want to improve our spiritual appearance (James 1:24; 1:25; Proverbs 12:2) God’s word is a reliable mirror (1:25; Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2:15) God’s word is a reliable mirror  (James 1:25), “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.” Some mirrors distort images instead of giving off a true reflection. (Cheap mirrors, Fun house mirrors/or more deceitful – in Retail stores, slimming…) Man-made doctrines are spiritual mirrors of this sort (Colossians 2:8), “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Unreliable, they distort truth. But, God’s word is reliable and able to improve our spiritual condition before God (2 Timothy 3:16-17), “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:15), “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Conclusion Let us use God’s mirror to equip ourselves to be blessed and approved before Him.