"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. But if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who intently looks at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and then goes away and at once and forgets what he was like." (James 1:22-24)
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Just what IS this saying, my Friends? We sit in church and surely take in the Word of God. We sit in our easy chair at home and read INTENTLY what It says and believe It, right? We even tell others what we have learned, sharing it with our fellow Believers and family. All well and good, we assume. But what about that "mirror" we look into? And, no, I don't mean the one in the bathroom where we preen ourselves. I MEAN THE WORD.
Every book and chapter of the Bible point to the Coming of Jesus. And it tells us of our "natural" state, the condition we find ourselves in without Jesus. If we REALLY look into what the Bible is telling us, it is pretty easy for us to see the nature of the humankind. We are lost and blind. We are ignorant of The Truth. But, even if The Truth is revealed to us, and we don't change? Then THAT is our signal that we haven't learned a thing. The Word was just words and stories about sometimes heroic and sometimes very evil men and women. The Word is just tales of this Baby born in a stable under a wonderful Christmas star, wise men and all. How wonderful, how quaint, how simply humble and thought-provoking.
But what did It get us, and what did we learn?
Websters New World College dictionary says that the word, "learn" means to acquire knowledge or skill, to come to know and experience, to acquire a habit. It means, within ANY learning, that we have changed by what we have come into contact with. In other words, we have done a lot more than just run our eyes over some printed information, and then let it go at that.
..........
So, what is the point of all this? Have you got it yet? Well, if you haven't, James is telling us that when we tell ourselves in our heads that we are Christians, and have still stayed the same since we first "got saved", then we are lying to ourselves.
The Bible is a mirror and It is for our own examination. A mirror never lies and neither does the Bible. Both show you EXACTLY what you REALLY are. And the Mirroring Power of the Word is for our restoration. It is aimed, mostly, at instilling in you and I the desire to step into Jesus' Work. Yes, we all have sinned since we've been "saved", but we need to be cleansed DAILY with the Word.
..........
Dear Lord, please help us all understand that "being a doer" is Your Command to us, not just a strong suggestion. You have told us again and again that "sin is sin", whether it is committed by one of us or even one of our churches or communities, or even an entire nation. We should know that You will not be patient with us forever, Father. Thank You for renewing our souls through Your Word and through Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
..........
Let the Mirror of the God's Word transform you. God wants you to be like Jesus. Let the mishaps of our life help you conform to the Image of God. BE CHANGED.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the Inheritance as your Reward. YOU ARE SERVING THE LORD CHRIST." (Colossians 3:23-24)
Yes, my Friend, let this all happen. Live your life as a saved person. Remember to remember that you are here for a reason. Examine yourself and confess it all to your Savior. And then walk in that Light of Salvation.
..........
Heavenly God, please help us turn from our sin and ask You to fill us up. Please give us the strength and boldness to do these things. Thank You for wanting us to be free in You. tommy
.........
God will not put His Hand in a dirty glove. We are the dirty glove. He will not enter us if we fail to repent, to turn from our sin as we look to Him. I pray that you will let loose of your excuses and your need for control in your life. AND LET THE GOSPEL STEP ON YOUR TOES ..... AND OFTEN.
Yes, in spite of your own wishes, follow God.
..........
Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that dilegently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
..........
(John 15:7 14)
And Jesus said, If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples. As the Father loved Me, so have I loved you; continue you in My Love. If you keep My Commandments, you shall abide in My Love; even as I have kept my Fathers Commandments, and abide in His Love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My Joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. And this is My Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you.
..........
Just what IS this saying, my Friends? We sit in church and surely take in the Word of God. We sit in our easy chair at home and read INTENTLY what It says and believe It, right? We even tell others what we have learned, sharing it with our fellow Believers and family. All well and good, we assume. But what about that "mirror" we look into? And, no, I don't mean the one in the bathroom where we preen ourselves. I MEAN THE WORD.
Every book and chapter of the Bible point to the Coming of Jesus. And it tells us of our "natural" state, the condition we find ourselves in without Jesus. If we REALLY look into what the Bible is telling us, it is pretty easy for us to see the nature of the humankind. We are lost and blind. We are ignorant of The Truth. But, even if The Truth is revealed to us, and we don't change? Then THAT is our signal that we haven't learned a thing. The Word was just words and stories about sometimes heroic and sometimes very evil men and women. The Word is just tales of this Baby born in a stable under a wonderful Christmas star, wise men and all. How wonderful, how quaint, how simply humble and thought-provoking.
But what did It get us, and what did we learn?
Websters New World College dictionary says that the word, "learn" means to acquire knowledge or skill, to come to know and experience, to acquire a habit. It means, within ANY learning, that we have changed by what we have come into contact with. In other words, we have done a lot more than just run our eyes over some printed information, and then let it go at that.
..........
So, what is the point of all this? Have you got it yet? Well, if you haven't, James is telling us that when we tell ourselves in our heads that we are Christians, and have still stayed the same since we first "got saved", then we are lying to ourselves.
The Bible is a mirror and It is for our own examination. A mirror never lies and neither does the Bible. Both show you EXACTLY what you REALLY are. And the Mirroring Power of the Word is for our restoration. It is aimed, mostly, at instilling in you and I the desire to step into Jesus' Work. Yes, we all have sinned since we've been "saved", but we need to be cleansed DAILY with the Word.
..........
Dear Lord, please help us all understand that "being a doer" is Your Command to us, not just a strong suggestion. You have told us again and again that "sin is sin", whether it is committed by one of us or even one of our churches or communities, or even an entire nation. We should know that You will not be patient with us forever, Father. Thank You for renewing our souls through Your Word and through Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
..........
Let the Mirror of the God's Word transform you. God wants you to be like Jesus. Let the mishaps of our life help you conform to the Image of God. BE CHANGED.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the Inheritance as your Reward. YOU ARE SERVING THE LORD CHRIST." (Colossians 3:23-24)
Yes, my Friend, let this all happen. Live your life as a saved person. Remember to remember that you are here for a reason. Examine yourself and confess it all to your Savior. And then walk in that Light of Salvation.
..........
Heavenly God, please help us turn from our sin and ask You to fill us up. Please give us the strength and boldness to do these things. Thank You for wanting us to be free in You. tommy
.........
God will not put His Hand in a dirty glove. We are the dirty glove. He will not enter us if we fail to repent, to turn from our sin as we look to Him. I pray that you will let loose of your excuses and your need for control in your life. AND LET THE GOSPEL STEP ON YOUR TOES ..... AND OFTEN.
Yes, in spite of your own wishes, follow God.
..........
Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that dilegently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
..........
(John 15:7 14)
And Jesus said, If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples. As the Father loved Me, so have I loved you; continue you in My Love. If you keep My Commandments, you shall abide in My Love; even as I have kept my Fathers Commandments, and abide in His Love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My Joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. And this is My Commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you.
