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Mirror Mirror from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo.

I look in the mirror, and what do I see? Who is that looking back at me? Is it someone faithful and true, or someone wishing they could start new? Today is the day to square up with the one in the mirror. David wrote this song about the Lord after he was delivered from Saul:

(2 Samuel 22:26–29 ESV)  "With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you deal purely, and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness."

I love that: "My God lightens my darkness." It's as if the Holy Spirit searches inside of us and puts His finger on things we would rather keep hidden, but it's necessary to bring it to the surface so we can get rid of it. 

Does coming under intense pressure suddenly make you want to tell a little white lie to escape it? Does financial pressure cause you to think of paying your tithes last instead of first? Who is looking back in that mirror? 

The enemy will always provide a distraction to thwart your obedience. The last thing he wants you to do is to walk in faith, stand your ground, and overcome. A beat-down scared little Christian that panics and casts God aside at first sight of adversity is what he wants to see. Who is looking back in that mirror?

(Galatians 6:7–10 NKJV)  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We are not those that shrink back but will walk in faith and patiently wait on the Lord to take care of the things we cannot. Further along the road, we will understand why. Meanwhile, let us show love to one another as our Lord Jesus Christ instructed us:

(John 13:34–35 NKJV)  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

There is a clear pattern in scripture that how you treat others will determine how you will be treated in the future. Consider these words of Jesus:

(Luke 6:36–38 NKJV)  Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you..."

(Matthew 5:7 NKJV)  Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

If you want to be forgiven, forgive someone else. If you want to be condemned, condemn someone else. If you want to receive gifts, give some first. If you want to be shown mercy, then show mercy to others. 

That is why the one in the mirror's behavior is so important. What seeds are they planting for you to harvest? I hope they are good ones... Please don't fall for the "Jesus paid it all, so nothing I do matters" line. That is deception spread in the last days for itching ears. None of the first Church ever believed that. Jesus never taught that. He said it as plain and simply as He possibly could:

(Luke 6:46 ESV)  "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?

Oh yes, God loves us more than we can comprehend, and if there is an ounce of faith in you that loves Him back, you will most likely be saved and escape the fires of hell. But your actions matter, and even proving that you love Him requires obedience. Jesus said:

(John 14:15 NKJV)  "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

There is no separating faith from works. There is no faith without good works. James summed it up like this: 

(James 2:26 NKJV)  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

So you should be doing something, but what should the person in the mirror be known for? What character traits should others see in them? The Apostle Paul gave us a list: 

(Galatians 5:22–24 NKJV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Who is looking back in your mirror? We sometimes call these words of Jesus "The Golden Rule." If there is a one-line summary of what the Bible requires of us, it is this: 

(Matthew 7:12 NKJV)  Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

If you wouldn't like it done to you, don't do it to someone else. If you want something done for you or to you, then do that for someone else. Reconcile your thoughts with the one in the mirror's actions. 

(James 1:22–24 NKJV)  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

You can pray this with me if you like: 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for another day. Make what's important to You, important to me! Please give me a clear vision and the grace to change for the better. I give You permission to work Your perfect will in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!