The person in the mirror

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  James 1:23-24 NIV

The person in the mirror, who is this individual? Is this person the one who speaks a truth but does not apply it to their own life? Is it the person who corrects another with a swift tongue, poignant word, and focus goal but does not accept this from another? Maybe this person is the one who, believes it is important and necessary to follow all the rules, policies, procedures, until it does not benefit them? The problem is we have all been this individual, at one time or another. But let us look at this phenomenon in light of the verses above.

The verses speak of a person who listens to the word but does not do what it says. Taken literally, it means you don’t apply the information you say, you gained and understood. It does not stick or stay with you after the impartation takes place. We are not doers. The questions that comes to mind, then what was gathered, gained? Why do it? We Christian are a funny lot; we have not understood the Father is looking for doers of the word, not just gathers of the word. Looking for those who does knows and applies, not just have it to say, ‘I know’. Neither is He looking for the person, who only does when they feel like it because Christianity is not about a feelings, although it evokes cornucopia of feelings in us.

The problem does not lie with the word, it lies with the people. We want to teach, preach, or be exegetical, without having to apply, implement, transform. For some reason, excuses are provided for why we didn’t, why we don’t, or unable to do so. Yet, the bible states this -  "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isa. 61:3 KJV. So, what are we afraid of, ‘man’s, response, or we do live with a lie about who we are, therefore, we cannot be true to no man? So, who is the person in the mirror? Is it the person who lives in duplicity because it easy, and no one ever bothers you? Or you the person who, gets this statement made by the Son - Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matt. 20:26-28 NIV – with such gravity warm tears form from the depths of your soul, the body quakes, the mind hears the angels sing GLORY, and the heart knows, I am here to serve what you will, I will!. …Your choice, your life…choose well