Being Transformed After Christ

James 1:22-24 (The Message)

^22-24Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

Today’s passage reminds me constantly that we might be able to fool those around us – and maybe even ourselves – but we cannot fool God.  As I was growing up – before I received Christ – I knew all the right words – all the right actions.  But I hadn’t given my heart – my life to Christ.  Even after giving my life to Christ – I didn’t always obey and follow God’s will – but at least with the Spirit living in me – remorse and repentance were swift and drew me back to the cross for forgiveness.

Too many times – I believe – people – even people in the church – fool themselves into thinking they are walking with Jesus.  I had a brother come up to me after worship one Sunday and share that for 40 plus years he walked a lie – never really knowing the Jesus he proclaimed to know.  I wonder how many are in the same place?  I wonder how many are trying to become a car by spending time in a garage?  It isn’t about spending time – even a lifetime – in the church – that makes us a Christian.  It is hearing God speak to us and then inviting Him into our hearts – our lives – to be our Lord and thus our Savior.  It is hearing and being transformed – changed within – so that our hearts desire is to serve Him – to love Him – to be changed.

Looking in a Mirror

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

When you get up in the morning – whatever time you rise (we don’t all get up as early as you Gary or work nights like you Iris) – do you take a peek in the mirror?  If not – you should.  I believe if you looked up in the dictionary the term bed hair you would see a picture of me in the morning!  I mean – it is bad!  Even scary!  That is one of the reasons I cut my hair shorter this summer – lol.  So we look in the mirror and try to fix what we can – a little combing here – a little makeup (women only I hope) there.  We want to be presentable!  We want to look our best.

In small group last night the question was asked in the material we are using – How well do you know yourself?  I think that is a deep question for sure.  We think we know ourselves pretty well – but do we?  How often do we look at ourselves in the mirror?  How often to do we strive to look our best – physically and spiritually?

 James – Jesus’ brother – wrote these words about looking in the mirror. James 1:22-24 – 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Again, how well do we know ourselves?

We often look in the mirror when we are looking at our self and wondering if we are the man or woman we ought to be!  Do we represent God well and His ambassador?  Whether it is a mid-life crisis or a spiritual moment – we often look at our lives and wonder if we have done enough.  Man in the Mirror is a men’s organization that helps men look at themselves in the mirror – to examine themselves spiritually!  We use this material at Mt. Oak for our men’s ministry.

Today’s passage is part of the Love Chapter – 1 Corinthians 13.  Toward the end of the chapter we read – Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. This passage is speaking about us seeing God clearly and God seeing us.  We may not understand it all now – but by and by we will have it revealed to us.  Here and now we still need to be searching – to reflect upon our witness and our life for Jesus.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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Doing God’s Will

James 1:22-24 (The Message)

^22-24Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

This passage reminds me constantly that we might be able to fool those around us – and maybe even ourselves – but we cannot fool God.  As I mentioned Sunday in the sermon – as I was growing up – before I received Christ – I knew all the right words – all the right actions.  But I hadn’t given my heart – my life to Christ.  Even after giving my life to Christ – I didn’t always obey and follow God’s will – but at least with the Spirit living in me – remorse and repentance were swift and drew me back to the cross for forgiveness.

Too many times – I believe – people – even people in the church – fool themselves into thinking they are walking with Jesus.  I had a brother come up to me after worship Sunday and share that for 40 plus years he walked a lie – never really knowing the Jesus he proclaimed to know.  I wonder how many are in the same place?  I wonder how many are trying to become a car by spending time in a garage?  It isn’t about spending time – even a lifetime – in the church that makes us a Christian.  It is hearing God speak to us and then inviting Him into our hearts – our lives – to be our Lord and thus our Savior.  It is hearing and being transformed – changed within – so that our hearts desire is to serve Him – to love Him – to be changed.

Don’t try to fool God!  You can’t!  We can fool some of the people all the time – and all the people some of the time – but we can fool God NONE of the time!

James 1:22-24 – Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. (The Message)

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.