We have been having great discussions on God’s vision and asking questions on how that plays out in our daily lives. What we find is that as we focus on Jesus, it protects us from the dangers around us. But if we don’t focus on Jesus, it will be those things around us that will capture our attention.
In the image below, stare at the white dot on the face on the left for 15 seconds. Then look at the white box on the right side. Amazed at what you see? This is a great illustration that if we focus, God will provide the filter to what we see in life. And maybe we won’t understand exactly what is happening at the time, but God will provide a clear vision.
James wrote this letter to a group of individuals that would read it together and then discuss. James doesn’t go into a big theological discourse, but just says plainly to not just read the word, but do what it says! This mirrors what Jesus said at the end of the sermon on the mount () where it is the man who builds a house on a solid foundation, who puts the word into practice, will withstand the rains.
We are to be aware at how God’s word is working in our lives. To allow God’s firm foundation to be setup under our feet. James uses an absurd illustration of a man who forgets what he looks like as soon as he leaves the mirror. In the same way, God’s word is to be a mirror for us. To allow us to see ourselves as God wants us to be.
Here James states that the outcome is a blessing because you allow God’s vision to be a central part of yourself. Asking questions on where God is leading us. We might not always have the answer at the time we ask, but always ready to receive the answer when it comes. Can you imagine going to the mirror and seeing yourself a mess and thinking it is normal? But we rejoice in the freedom that God provides through His.
So again we look at God’s vision for our church, the mirror that we will look at for our church.
Disciples making Disciples
Living in the Great Command
Equipped for the Great Commission
Being Built into a Great Community
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (ESV)
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (ESV)
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (ESV)
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)