Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

 

“Don’t fool yourselves. For if a person just listens and

doesn’t obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror;

as soon as he walks away, he can’t see himself anymore

or remember what he looks like.” (James 1:22–24, TLB)

 

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, lie to me!” Don’t we sometimes wish?

 

Either fortunately or unfortunately, mirrors don’t lie, unless,

of course, the mirror is distorted. If so, its reflection will also be

distorted. And if I am not true to my word and do what I say

I am going to do, there is something distorted within me.

As the old saying goes, “Talk is cheap.” Keeping one’s word

and promises is a character trait to be highly valued. It is

being authentic and maintaining integrity.

 

Unfortunately, it seems that keeping one’s word for many

anymore doesn’t amount to too much. Like a worker I used

some time ago who claimed to be involved in Promise Keepers.

It was a joke. He rarely kept either his word or his promises.

Sadly, a person who doesn’t keep his word or his promises

can’t be relied upon. Neither can he be trusted. And a person

who claims to be a Christian and doesn’t genuinely and

consistently seek to keep and obey God’s Word can’t be

relied on either. Perhaps not trusted either?

 

As James said, “Don’t fool yourselves. For if a person just listens

and doesn’t obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror;

as soon as he walks away, he can’t see himself anymore

or remember what he looks like. But if anyone keeps looking

steadily into God’s law for free men, he will not only remember it

but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him

in everything he does.” (James 1:22–25, TLB)

 

If we are mature, we will act in a mature fashion. If we are

responsible, we will act in a responsible manner. And if we are

sincere and genuine, we will act accordingly and be known

as men and women whose word is their bond.

 

For after all–

It’s what we do

Not what we say–

That says the most of all.

 

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be a man/woman

of my word and, with your help, one who seeks to obey your word.

Always. Gratefully, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”