James: Thankful for a mirror that is honest with me, physically and spiritually

December 21st, James

       James has to be one of my favorite books. As much as I like abstract thought, this book doesn't leave room at a Bible Study for someone to ruin it by talking intellectual nonsense. This is a presentation of what the Christian life ought to look like. Issues like perseverance, temptation, change, partiality, good works, what we say, where to find wisdom, avoiding the world, what tomorrow looks like, being rich, walking through difficulty and when to pray.
       For me, the heart of it comes at the end of chapter one. Be "doers"(orthopraxy: correct practice) and not hearers only(orthodoxy: correct knowing). If you went up to a mirror and you had something between your teeth, you'd fix it. If you were cutting your hair and you saw you messed up in a spot after looking in the mirror you'd fix it. If your make-up was put on wrong and you looked in a mirror, you'd fix it(Not from experience, I'm actually just guessing!!)
       "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
       This Bible is God's word. It's his expression of Himself and an invitation to do things His way. It is a mirror. The mirror is always honest, it reflects what is. Coming to grips with what is and fixing it is what our bathroom mirror is all about. In the morning I am thankful for a mirror that is honest with me. It's also at the heart of this journey of faith. To see ourselves clearly, to see God clearly and thank Him not only for the revelation of a need for change, but the power to walk into it.