James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
In our world we are so obsessed with IMAGE!! If it don't look cool, then I don't want to be a part of it!! So even the best "closet Christian" can forget who they are and who they live for in the best of circumstances. The above scripture says its well, 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. I may come up with a great word from God as I study His Word and even write a blog about my impressions of what God is saying. Then I walk out my door and continue to live like I never even read the Word. I become a forgetful model. A model by how I model what my life is built on; the Word of God. And I may have the best intentions but those intentions don't become practice.
It is so necessary for each of us to not only read the Word and even amen the Word, but also live the Word. Even Jesus' apostles fell short in this area and thus the word from James explaining this very subject. I really understand more and more how useless Religion is when it comes to living the life as a believer. Our relationship is much more important for continued growth in our faith. Relationship in accordance with walking with God causes us to lose that forgetfulness and we become a "model" Christian. One who talks the talk and walks the walk!! So many lost people will not give Christ a chance because they see how weak our faith is and how we are just like the world and that should not be so. Our relationship with Jesus has to be so personal that we hear from God through the Bible and we are led by the Holy Spirit who dwells in all who received life change through a relationship with Jesus.
Tomorrow morning look a little longer in your mirror and ask yourself, "Am I modeling who Jesus is to everyone I meet?" If not, now is the time to change. Be a light to a dark world and let Christ be seen your life wherever you go. John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. Peter says in it well in 1 Peter 3:15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
The Pilgrimage continues......
David Warren
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