2:297 – Do You Remember The Mirror Image When You Walk Away?

#faithbites #faithjourney mirror

Sometimes #faithbite ideas come from experiences and then lead to scripture, other times scripture leads to faithbites, this one is an experience mixed with a scripture. First time for everything.

Today, I started in my coaching huddle for Discipleship to Missional Communities. This is a weekly change to gather in prayer, invitation, and challenge with like-minded growing men. During our discussion, we talked about the power of the Word, remembering the Word, and living in the Word. This one selection also states that we are free because of God’s perfect law. We just need to remember to practice it.

Scripture

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 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. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. – James 1:22-25

Reflection

The first part, reminds me of the old show, Greatest American Hero. A normal guy was given a supersuit by aliens, didn’t really understand, and lost the instruction book. So he tries to do good, without understanding how it works. This is like us, looking in the mirror, and immediately forgetting what we look like.

This ties directly into the second part of perfect freedom. We can’t be followers of Christ and not understand the love of his law. Because we are not shackled with guilt, fear, and trepidation, we are free. No matter what we do, our identity is freely given by our father. We just need to remember his love, his commandments (love God, love others), and forgive.

I struggle with identity all the time. What does it mean to be of faith, a Christian, a Lutheran, a human, a father, a son, a brother, etc etc. The one thing I can be sure of is the perfect law of Christ.

Challenge

Our faithjourney is only as good as our memory. Our memory is only as good as the time and effort we put in. Knowing the perfect law is one thing, showing it is different. We have to show it to ALL PEOPLE, in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, at ALL TIMES. This takes practice. But through Christ we can do it.

Prayer

Heavenly Lord, thank you for your perfect law and perfect love. We often fall short of loving you and loving others. We check the boxes of scripture and worship but often forget to set it to brain and heart memory. Give us your love, strength, and determination to always remember what you have told us. We are loved, we are your children, and we are forgiven. Lord, help all of us who are beginning new journeys like D2MC, new jobs, or even starting to walk with you for the first time or the first time in a long time. Help us remember everything you’ve told us, even when we close the Bible and walk out of the church building. In your gracious name, Amen.