I. Introduction (James 1:22-25)
“But 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.”
A. The Bible as a Mirror
- It shows us who we really are
- Not flattering, but truthful
- Essential for change
B. The Problem: Forgetting What We See
- We look and quickly forget
- We don’t act on what we learn
- We deceive ourselves
II. What the Bible Mirror Shows
A. Our Sin
- All have sinned (Romans 3:23)
- The heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9)
- Our righteousness is filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)
B. Our Need
- Need for salvation
- Need for sanctification
- Need for daily cleansing
C. Our Identity in Christ
- Who we are now
- What we have become
- How God sees us
III. How to Use the Mirror
A. Look Intently
- Not a casual glance
- Careful examination
- Honest assessment
B. Look Regularly
- Daily time in the Word
- Consistent self-examination
- Ongoing evaluation
C. Look to Change
- Don’t just see - act
- Make corrections
- Follow through
IV. The Blessing Promised
A. Not to the Hearer Only
- Hearing is not enough
- Knowledge without action is useless
- The blessing is for doers
B. But to the Doer
- The one who acts
- The one who continues
- The one who obeys
Conclusion
The Bible is your mirror. Look into it daily. See yourself honestly. And make the changes God shows you. That’s where blessing is found.