“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;  for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.  But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.”  James 1:22-25

Mirrors are quite useful in our lives.  We use them to make rooms brighter and look more spacious.  In gyms and dance studios they help us improve our form.  Most commonly, we use them to make sure jewelry and ties are in place, hair is properly styled and generally everything is tucked and straightened to present the best possible appearance.  For the most part, we use them to perfect what is already generally acceptable.  However, they can also make us aware of issues that we’d rather forget.  Many years ago I had a surreal moment.  I stepped into a dressing room to try on some shirts.  Looking into the mirror, I saw an image that I did not recognize.  It took a while for my mind to process that I was looking at myself.  At 5’8” and 112 pounds, my illness had left me gaunt and emaciated.  It was in that moment that I truly appreciated just how ill I was.  Since that time, I have learned to manage my illness and have moved to a more stable existence.  It took a lot of trial and error, but I am able to live and function better than before.  As the passage above reminds us, the word of God is like a mirror; it helps us refine our more godly thoughts and behaviors while making us painfully aware of the areas in which we need substantial work.  Thankfully, God does not leave us “standing at the mirror” wondering what to do, James 1 provides much practical advice with the warning.  If you’re able, take time to read the whole chapter.

I find it interesting that a passage that is summarized by the need to be “an effectual doer” begins with a discussion of trials and testing of the faith.  God, through James, starts this conviction by showing us the usefulness of our struggles.  The point of our trials is to perfect us.  As trials arise they provide the opportunity to practice what God has shown us in scripture.  When we bear these burdens in a godly fashion it’s like a workout at the gym, we experience pain and stress, but the encounter leaves us with greater endurance and a deeper relationship with God.

Hardships, especially the great and unexpected ones, often leave us dazed and confused.  However, that does not mean that we’re hopeless, rather it indicates that we have more to learn.  Consequently, in verse 5 we’re told to ask God for wisdom with faith and that He will provide.  First and foremost we should consider wisdom with respect to the trial at hand.  Matthew Henry puts it this way: “We should not pray so much for the removal of an affliction as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who is there that does not want wisdom under any great trials or exercises to guide him in his judging of things, in the government of his own spirit and temper, and in the management of his affairs? To be wise in trying times is a special gift of God, and to him we must seek for it.”  In other words, we are asking for the ability to let it mold us as God wishes, the proper perspective, and the appropriate response to it.  Once we have a healthy outlook and reaction, we can look for God at work and see how we can be a conduit of grace to others.  Being an “effectual doer” starts with seeking God’s wisdom in all circumstances.  While the common practice is to go to God when we’ve run out of other options, we should always begin dealing with any situation by seeking God’s wisdom first.

James then reminds us that a godly attitude should yield a spirit of contentment and allow us to focus on the goal which is the “crown of life” promised to those who love God.  Eternity with God free from the effect of sin in this world is the prize for persevering.  We are enduring temporary circumstances with an eternal perspective.  It is that reward of enjoying God forever that motivates and guides us.

We’ve been given the challenge, means to secure the necessary resources and the goal.  Now the pitfalls are laid out for us.  First there is temptation and our own proclivity to succumb to it.  Rather than the crown of life, yielding to sin leads to death.  Then there are a few specific forms: rash responses, anger, and filthiness.  Finally we’re warned regarding the remaining wicked tendencies in our lives.  I’ve recently learned that in any change there is grief and grief often opens the door to bad behavior.  We’re weak and vulnerable.  We’ll do anything to stop the pain and frustration.  That’s when we are most open to temptation.  It’s what Satan uses to either bring us down or side line us from God’s calling.  Whether it is a ministry opportunity or conveying the gospel by living in a godly fashion, sin will derail us.  Because we must be on guard, we are encouraged to humbly accept the word of God and allow it to reveal our imperfections so that we can effectively deal with and correct them.

Finally, we are given three reminders:  to control our speech, care for others and remain unstained by the world.  We do not experience our trials in a vacuum and we should not allow our difficulties to produce unbridled responses that can harm or prevent us from being generous to others as God provides the means and opportunity.  Further, we should not allow human reasoning and cultural wisdom to move us away from obedience.  Rather we must constantly look to scripture for guidance as it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

While in college, my friend Dale and I performed in the play “The Comedy of Errors”.  Our respective roles were identical twins.  Consequently, before each performance we would sit down together in front of mirrors to apply our makeup.  Our build, coloring and general form were very closely matched, but the makeup allowed us to adjust the bump in the nose, cleft of the chin, etc. so that we were as identical as possible.  Sitting side by side permitted us to see each other as we attempted to match our features.   As I read this passage in James, I think of how we are encouraged to be like Christ and how He is reflected in scripture.  In the end, we are called to sit next to Christ with a mirror and conform our image and behavior to His.  As we live out our lives, endure hardship and trials, and submit to God’s word, we are daily seeking to align our image to Christ and truly become effectual doer’s so that we share the gospel and encourage others as we move toward the goal of eternity with the Lord.  To that end Paul urges us to “consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  (Hebrews 12:3)  Whatever you are facing today, don’t just hear the message.  Rather seek God’s wisdom, guard your soul and be and “effectual doer” so that you may receive the crown of life.