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, immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 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. James 1:23-25.
This text shows the Word of God as a means of reflection- a mirror into which we are to look and see ourselves. The admonition here is to heed what we see and accept the Bible’s corrective instruction, but there is something buried here that is significant which is, to avoid the temptation to see (and judge) others in the Word. Analyzing what they ought to do, instead of what we need to do.
2 Corinthians 3:18 also likens God’s Word to a mirror, but describes the image seen as no less than the Lord Jesus Himself. Gleaning from these two texts, we can see:
- The Bible and the Holy Spirit’s presence show us Christ’s likeness so that
- We may measure our conduct and character against His and allow God to shape us into Christ’s likeness (Romans 8:29).
Other Scriptures that promise cleansing through God’s Word:
- Jeremiah 29:9 speaks of God’s “fire” in the Word, which is can purge as well as ignite.
- Psalm 119:9 brings a special promise to the one who wants a pure life of holy power.
God’s Word is a powerful, cleansing, delivering agent.
ps. I am adding Chris Reimers ( http://chrisreimersblog.wordpress.com) share to this post. “God’s Word is the glass which discovereth all spiritual deformity, and also the water and soap which washeth and scoureth it away.”
Chris
Jan 11, 2013 @ 02:06:18
The puritan Paul Bayne (c.1573–1617) said this about Psalm 119:9 and I think it is a good summary for this post:
“God’s Word is the glass which discovereth all spiritual deformity, and also the water and soap which washeth and scoureth it away.”
Mannyr
Jan 11, 2013 @ 13:23:20
What an awesome summary indeed. Thanks for sharing. I have posted it as a summary on the post. Blessings in Jesus name.