A Theology

of Mirrors

James 1:21-25, 2:14-19, 26

James 1:21-25

James 1:21-2521 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that

is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in

a mirror24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and

immediately forgets what he looks like.25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law

that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will

be blessed in what he does.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,

correcting and training in righteousness,

17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Four Things You Should Expect to Happen When Studying Scripture

You’ll be …

• … Taught – learn something new you didn’t know before.

• … Rebuked – told you’re wrong about something.

• … Corrected – shown how to make your wrong right.

• … Trained In Righteousness – provided with a “how to” guide for living.

… so that you will be equipped for life.

Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

James 1:21-25

James 1:21-2521 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that

is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in

a mirror24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and

immediately forgets what he looks like.25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law

that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will

be blessed in what he does.

James 2:14-17

James 2:14-1714 What good is it, my brothers, if a man

claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does

nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Romans 5:1-2

Romans 5:1-2

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from

yourselves, it is the gift of God--

9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

James 2:18-19

James 2:18-19

18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-- and shudder.

Matthew 7:21

Matthew 7:21

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of

heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7:24-2724 “… Everyone who hears these words of mine and

puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish

man who built his house on sand.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the

winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

John 14:15

John 14:15

15 If you love me, you will obey what I command.

John 14:23-24

John 14:23-24a

23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will

love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

24a He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”

John 15:10

John 15:10

10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have

obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

2 John 1:6a

2 John 1:6a

6a And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

What is Faith?

Three Parts of Faith in Jesus:

1) Belief in Jesus.

2) Trust in Jesus to do what He says He’ll do.

3) Obedience to Jesus’ commands (i.e. The Bible).

NOTE: Perfection is not demanded, but we are called to strive toward it.

James 2:26

James 2:26

26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Revelation 20:12

Revelation 20:12

12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Two Main Points Today:

1) Listen to the Word humbly expecting a call to change.

2) Do what the Word says! Faith is belief with legs on it. It includes action!