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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Introduction: A. The wicked queen in Snow White said, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" She didn't like the mirror's response so she set about to change it. B. Where would we be without mirrors? What do we use them for? Without mirrors, ladies would have a less orderly appearance, men would not be as well shaved, kids would have even dirtier faces, etc. C. James tells us that the word of God is like a mirror. How might that be in a practical sense? There are several aspects to this comparison we might explore. I. The Word Compared To A Mirror A. It is perfect 1. Imperfect mirrors will distort the reflected image 2. God's mirror is perfect a. Source is a perfect being--God - 2 Tim 3:15-17; Gal 1:11-12 b. Guidance given is perfect - Jn 16:7-13 c. Has been preserved by providence - Mk 13:31; 1 Pet 1:24-5 d. Converts the soul - Psa 19:7 3. A perfect mirror reflects an accurate image a. Doctrinal accuracy - 1 Tim 4:16 b. Moral purity - 1 Pet 1:13-17; 2:11-15 c. Reliable promises - 2 Pet 3:9 B. It never changes 1. A good mirror does not corrode, warp, or change shape 2. God's word is the same - 1 Pet 1:24-5 C. It is useless unless someone looks at it - 2 Tim 2:15; Heb 11:6 1. Many reasons contribute to the neglect of the scriptures a. Some don't like what they find there - Jn 3:19-20 b. Many want something more pleasant - 2 Tim 4:3-4 c. Doctrines of men de-emphasize Bible study d. Christians become complacent and lazy and fail to study II. Comparison Of The Use Of The Bible And A Mirror A. Looking there we learn about ourselves 1. No one looks at a mirror to study mirrors! a. But some look at the Bible this way b. They want to study it, criticize it, basing their criticism on poor data 2. The Bible reflects to us a. Our real needs (1). We have sinned - Rom 3:23 (2). We need to be made alive - Eph 2:1-3 b. God's attitude toward us (Love) - John 3:16; 1 Tim 2:4 c. The way made by God for us (Grace) - Tit 2:11-15 d. Where we stand before Him - Heb 5:8-9; Rom 8:13-17; 1 Pet 1:13-14 e. What we need to correct - 2 Tim 3:16-17 B. We change ourselves not the mirror 1. The mirror shows me what I need to do 2. Some want to look into the mirror of God's word and change it, instead of changing themselves a. Martin Luther wanted to throw the book of James out as uninspired--it taught faith AND works b. One lady took scissors and cut out every reference to baptism from her Bible c. A preacher on the radio once said, "Here's how we get around that passage." 3. How will these practices stand in the judgment? - John 12:48 C. Hiding the mirror won't change anything 1. If I cover the mirror it doesn't change my appearance 2. Sometimes in studies it becomes clear that the prospect has heard all he wants to hear and is "no longer interested" a. How is this different from hiding the mirror? b. Has this person helped his spiritual condition any by this? 3. People have the attitude "ignorance is bliss" in spiritual things. Is it? a. Ignorant sin still required a sacrifice and the sacrifice had to be applied to that sin - Num 15:24-26 b. They crucified Christ in ignorance--did that make it any less a sin? - Acts 3:12-19 c. Paul persecuted Christians in ignorance--was he excused because of this? - 1 Tim 1:13 4. Members of the church dismiss the teaching of the scriptures on some subjects they need to hear because they've "heard it all before." D. Regular use is required of a mirror 1. We use a mirror frequently if we are concerned about our appearance a. If we do not, we "forget what manner of person we are" b. Also, our appearance can change (we get dirty, wind-blown, etc.) 2. What about our study of the Word of God? a. Can't we be buffeted by the cares and troubles of life and need direction, comfort, strength? b. Don't we need to continue to check our spiritual condition at least as often as we check our physical appearance? 3. How often then should we study? a. Most people probably use a mirror at least once daily for something. b. Many folks use one more--how many ladies' purses here have a mirror of some sort in it? What is it for? Why carry one? c. What if we used a mirror only as often as some people study the Bible? (1). Only once or twice a week (2). Never more than a casual glance or consideration (3). Only when we feel embarrassed not to, like at services (4). Once every few days. (5). Very seldom or never for some d. If this were the case, we might not even be able to describe ourselves if need be. Conclusion: A. The Word of God bears many similarities to a mirror B. The use we make of this mirror will determine who and what we are in God's eyes C. James says we have a personal responsibility to study the Bible regularly and apply its teachings to our own lives. If we fail to do this we are a deceiver--not of others, but of self (Jas 1:22-25). D. According to the mirror of God's word, how do you look to God? Are you lost, outside of Christ, without a hope? Why not obey the gospel so you can be saved? (Rom. 1:16,10:16) Are you an unfaithful child of God? Why not repent and pray God for forgiveness? (Acts 8:22) Don't just look and do nothing--Obey the Lord now! |