The art of listening has long since been lost in most circles. Being able, or should I say, to be willing to listen is very valuable because by listening we can learn much from others.  However, sometimes we do not listen like we should because we would rather be the one doing the talking.  We want to be the one with all of the information, and we want to be the center of attention.  It would be wise for us to see the value of listening to sources other than ourselves.

The greatest source to listen to is God’s word (James 1:18-21).  We all recognize that Jesus saves; however, let us not forget that information about salvation and how to obtain it is located in the Word of God.  From this standpoint, we understand why James tells us that the engrafted word is able to save our souls.  The first step towards that salvation is HEARING (John 6:44, 45; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 3:22-26; Romans 10:17).

In James chapter one, James goes on to discuss another thing that one must do if salvation is to be attained — one must be a doer of God’s Word (James 1:22-25).  The example of a mirror was a good one, for God’s Word is indeed like a mirror.  Just like a physical mirror, the Word gives a reflection to the one who looks into it.  The question I want to ask in this article is a simple one:  “What do you see when you look into God’s mirror?”

Do You See an Unsaved Person?

When you look into God’s mirror, do you see a person who has not obeyed the gospel?  If you see a person who has not believed in Jesus (Mark 16:15, 16), repented of his sins (Acts 3:19), confessed Christ,  (Romans 10:9, 10), and been baptized for the forgiveness of sins, you are seeing one who has not obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:38).

If that is what you see when you look into God’s mirror, the reflection that you are getting is that of an unsaved person (Romans 1:16; 6:17, 18; 1 Thessalonians 1:3-6).  If you are seeing an unsaved person, you are seeing a person in a miserable state or condition (Ephesians 2:11-22; Matthew 25:46).

The only way you can change what you see in God’s mirror is by obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Do not allow men or man-made manuals to tell you what you are seeing when you look into God’s mirror.  Man tells you that if you believe in Christ, that is all you need to get a good reflection of a saved person.  They are wrong.  Look into God’s mirror yourself and be sure about what you see.  A saved person has obeyed the gospel as revealed by the Word of God.

Do You See a Deceived Person? 

When you look into God’s mirror, do you see a person who cannot find any Bible passages for what you practice or teach religiously?  Do you see a person who cannot find the church to which you belong in name and doctrine on the pages of the New Testament?  If that is the reflection that you get, you are seeing one who is deceived, and who has listened too much to the counsel of men instead of the Word of God.  Such a one is acting without divine authority and, thus, worshipping God in vain (John 4:19-24; Matthew 15:8-14).

How do you change the reflection that you are getting from God’s word?  This is accomplished by putting the traditions of men behind you, making sure you have Bible authority for all that you do, and that the church that you are associating with has authority for what it is doing and teaching (Colossians 3:17; Acts 2:41, 42; Romans 8:14-16).

Why is this so critical?  It is because if you get a reflection of a person who is deceived when you look into God’s mirror, you are getting a look at someone who is lost.  Jesus said, “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the teach” (Matthew 15:14). The only way you can make sure that you are not being deceived is by making sure that you have book, chapter, and verse for what you are doing and with whom you are associating.  The Bible is the final source of authority in religious matters, not man.

Do You See One Who Is Unfaithful? 

When you look into God’s mirror, do you see a person who has obeyed the gospel, but who has stopped following the commands of God?  Do you see a person who is not a doer of God’s Word, and who, consequently, cannot be counted on by the local church?  When you look into this divine mirror, do you get a reflection of a person who is not properly using his or her talents to further the kingdom of God?

If you are getting such a reflection from God’s mirror, you are seeing one who is unfaithful and therefore, in almost the same spiritual condition as the one who has not obeyed the gospel.  We must have endurance as Christians (Hebrews 12:1, 2; John 15:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Revelation 2:10).

How must you change this reflection?  You do so by making up your mind to walk with the Lord and be faithful in all things.  You must repent, that is, you must have a change of heart and determine to do better.  Repentance is not just something that alien sinners are called on to do.  Whenever we sin and fall short, we must repent (Acts 8:22).  Also, one must confess his sins to God (1 John 1:7-9). While reformation of life is not repentance,  true repentance leads to a reformation every time.  If you repent, it will be demonstrated by your life (Matthew 3:7, 8).

Do You See One Among The Faithful? 

When you look into God’s Word, do you see a reflection of one who has obeyed the gospel and who is faithful and fruitful?  If so, you are seeing a reflection of one who will experience eternal bliss in heaven (Revelation 21:1-5).  This is the reflection you should want to see when you look into God’s Word.  No other reflection will do!

Let us all look into God’s mirror, and let us do so regularly for it is not hard for something in our lives to get out of place. But remember, the reflection that you get depends on what you do in life.  If you do not like what you see, then do something about it!