James 1:17-27 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
How would you live your life if your actions were to be the basis of the only sermon someone would hear today? How awesome would a "sermon" of you reacting to something negative in an even more negative way? How awesome a sermon would your anger preach to someone who shared something with you and your misheard what the person was trying to share with you? These are the concerns that James shared with his readers in his time. James says we should live lives that bless others because we have been blessed as God's "first fruits" of this new life. What a precious and powerful sermons are those which preach a witness of patience, understanding, forgiveness and compassion; compared to those which are simply reactions of anger and wrath? Our attitude should be one of meekness and love that shows the way God has treated us. I heard one preacher ask, "God, how do you put up with me?" That's a very good question and it's a teaching one as well.
James believed that those who actually "do" live the gospel are those who bless others. The ones who merely hear the word simply are deceiving themselves; and he compares it to one who has looked in the mirror and as they go away forget immediately what they were look like. Our mirror should be the word of God. Are we reflecting the image shared in that book about how we should live? The Bible is the best mirror we have for seeing how we really are. And the more we look into that mirror, the better we look to God and to those who are seeking God.
A relationship with God speaks a positive witness to others. Trying to be religious speaks only about your habit of trying to impress others and caring nothing towards God. Those in relationship with God will care about others, especially those in need; and will do and share all they can, to make the world a better place.
Pick up the "mirror" of God and take a good look. The "wrinkles" or "freckles" or "pimples" you may see can all be permanently and eternally removed. And the best part? Those who look toward God for the right image, will never age!
PRAYER: Loving God, speak to me as I look into Your Word as my mirror today. Help me to be the person You called me to be and as I read in Your word, speak the truth about who I am to be and become. May I truly seek to bless others with my life and actions and not merely my words. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
