The Face in the Mirror

I. Introduction
   A. Jeans and age illustrations
   B. All of us, at times, are guilty of having a different 
      self-perception than what reality dictates
   C. Many times, these self-perceptions are relatively harmless
   D. But what if we have a wrong self-perception spiritually?
   E. When we look in the mirror, spiritually, what do we see?  Is it 
      what we want?  What do we do when we walk away from the spiritual 
      mirror?
   F. Let us consider the Scriptures in this light today

II. The Face in the Mirror
   A. James addresses this type of situation in James 1:22-25
   B. James 1:22
      1. Importance of being not just hearers of the word, but "doers"
      2. If one is not a "doer", one deceives himself!
      3. John, in 1 John, constantly indicates that those who deceive 
         themselves will not be saved (1 John 1:8; cf. 1 John 2:4, 
         1 John 4:20)
   C. James 1:23-24
      1. Comparison: one who hears and not does like a person looking 
         at natural self in mirror
      2. Goes away, immediately forgets what they look like
      3. Many times people do not like what they see in the mirror, 
         and it is easier for them to have a different mental picture 
         of themselves!
   D. James 1:25
      1. Contrast: one who looks into the "perfect law", the "law of 
         liberty", and perseveres
      2. Such a one is one who does not just hear but also acts
      3. They will be blessed in their doing!
   E. What is James talking about?
      1. The contrast is between mere hearers and those who hear and do
      2. All such people hear the message of God-- it exposes them for 
         who they really are
      3. When we look into the perfect law of liberty, we see a 
         disfigured sinner in some way, shape, or form!
      4. For many-- those who just hear-- the image is too horrifying, 
         too terrible to accept, and it is easier for such people to 
         rationalize themselves and hold to a different picture of 
         themselves in their minds than that which is presented in the 
         Scriptures
      5. Such people deceive themselves and are led into condemnation!
      6. For some others, however, while the image presented is 
         unpleasant, the realization exists that denying reality is 
         not going to change it, and it becomes imperative to work to 
         remove the disfigurement
      7. Such are those who hear and do, willing to persevere, and they 
         are blessed in so doing!

III. Are We Looking in the Mirror?
   A. When considering this passage and its application, we must ask: 
      are we looking into the "mirror"?
   B. Are we listening to the Word and those who preach it?
      1. Romans 10:13-21
      2. Referent in part to unbelievers, but consider the example of 
         Israel!
      3. 1 John 4:1-6
   C. Not listening may be easier, but its consequences are severe!
      1. Why does Jesus always say, "those who have ears to hear, let 
         them hear"? (e.g. Matthew 13:9)
      2. The reason: Isaiah 6:9-10 / Matthew 13:14-15
      3. Many have their hearts dulled and eyes blinded for various 
         reasons
      4. Such persons will not be found pleasing to God!
   D. It is important, therefore, for us to look into the mirror, no 
      matter how difficult it may be!

IV. Are We Willing to See What is in the Mirror?
   A. Are we truly willing to see what we look like in the mirror?
   B. Are we willing to "test ourselves" (2 Corinthians 13:5) according 
      to God's will?
   C. What do you think you look like according to the perfect law of 
      liberty?
      1. Will it be pretty?  Probably not.
      2. Will your sin be exposed for what it is?  Absolutely!
   D. Knowing these things, are you still willing to look into God's 
      Word?

V. If We Will Look, What Will We Do About It?
   A. The biggest question, however, is, what we're going to do about 
      it?
   B. When we see who we really are in God's word, how are we going to
      respond?
   C. Will we decide that the picture is too horrid, walk away, and 
      imagine ourselves as better than we are?
      1. If we do this, we are hearers and not doers!
      2. We deceive ourselves!
      3. Do you think self-deluded people are going to be in Heaven, 
         or doing what God establishes is right?
   D. Or will we decide that even if the picture is ugly, the picture 
      is what's real, and we need to do something about it?
      1. What good is it to deny spiritual reality?
      2. We can go either backward or forward-- let's choose to go 
         forward!
      3. Attempting to get rid of sin in our lives is not easy
      4. Attempting to do what is right is not easy
      5. But striving to be "doers" of the Word and persevering is the 
         only way to be blessed!

VI. A Time of Consideration
   A. Let us consider ourselves today
   B. Let us be willing to look into the mirror and hear God's Word
   C. Let us decide to be willing to see what's there, even if it's 
      unpleasant
   D. Let us decide to accept who we are and move on to be better 
      Christians in the future!
   E. Indeed, let us be doers of the Word, not merely hearers!
   F. Invitation/songbook