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1:25 – and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work –
As the man who glanced into the mirror and forgot what he looked like, a committed Christian would not only look into the mirror of God’s truth, but act upon it. This action is a prerequisite
for the blessing mentioned in the remaining portions of this verse.
In this passage James is simply shedding light on a spiritual truth by using a natural object. A mirror has three purposes:
The Three Fold
Purpose of A Mirror
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Spiritual |
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Examination
To examine something is ‘to look closely and intently at in order to learn about and to gather information from’. We are to examine God’s Word. When we read of the truths presented, we
are to investigate them, to search them out so that there may be understanding
of them, in order to practically apply them to our lives.
Restoration
By continuing in a study of God’s truth restoration can then be brought about. Truths of Scripture will open up a man’s fallen nature. We are to daily spend time meditating and reflecting on the scriptures.
Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you
will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalm 119:97 - Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Transformation
The Word reflects the glory of God as though in a mirror (2 Cor 3:18). If we want to know what the glory of God is we are to look in the Word. This gives us a picture, though not a true image of God’s glory. We will never fully comprehend it this side of eternity, although we are to spend our lives being transformed into His very own image. The King James uses the word
‘changed’ which derived from the original Greek uses the word from which we get metamorphose – a constant changing and evolving. How does this transformation take place? When we look at the Word and respond in obedience by doing what it commands us.
We need to have the Word written on our hearts. Second Corinthians 3:3 tells us that under the new covenant Christ writes His word on our hearts and not on tablets of stone. No longer is salvation an external matter of laws written on stone and with ink, but now it transfers to salvation being internal – a state of the heart.
this one will be blessed in what he does. – A correct response to God’s word will bring blessing. Some use this verse to say that we are blessed for our good deeds. This verse however, does not abdicate that a man will be blessed for his deeds but instead in his deeds. Therefore it is not just knowing God’s will but doing God’s will that will cause the blessing to given.
When we obey the truth of God’s word we then can begin to know the power of the truth. Christ said to His disciples that if they would hold to and obey His teachings then they would know the truth, and the truth would set them free. The truth of God’s word brings about the true freedom found in the Law of Liberty.
James uses the rest of the passage to provide a clear example of listening and doing.
An Update on James 1:15
There were two downloads available for the verse on James 1:15. You can now find these in the downloads part of this blog.
1:8 – he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
1:8. he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – A man who requests not only wisdom but wavers in his intent of the prayer is not going to be blessed by God.
Double-minded - is translated in the Greek as dipsuchos (Strong’s 1374). Taken from two Greek words dis which means ‘twice’ and psuchos which means ‘a soul,’ it literally means ‘two-souled.’
Unstable – This word has the meanings of inconsistent, restless and disorderly.
The Bible is full of warnings regarding the ‘double-mindedness’ of those who serve God with their lips but their heart is far removed. Elijah challenged the people to serve either Baal or the Lord (1 Kgs 18:21). We can have flattering lips and be double-hearted (1 Ch 12:33). In New Testament writings the qualifications for a deacon included that they must be reverent and not double-tongued (1 Tim 3:8). False teachers are able to easily entice unstable souls, who in turn twist the scripture to their own destruction (See 2 Pet 2:14 with 3:16).
God is after the person who will seek Him with his whole heart. In fact there is a blessing for those who do (Ps 119:2 with Matt 22:37). God will pour His favour of answered prayer on the believer who trusts with his whole heart.
Unstableness is the opposite of faith. In verse 4 James wrote that the goal of Christian living (through trials) is to result in being whole and perfect. Now he counters that by stating that double-mindedness is the opposite. A major theme of the book of James is that of purity of intention.
