Magic Mirror on the Wall

Introduction:

Magic mirror in Snow White.

Wouldn’t it be great to have such a mirror for Christians?

A mirror where only believers could see their reflection.

We could prove to others that they needed Christ.

We could look into the mirror and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have eternal life.

This is our secret. We all from time to time doubt our salvation, so I think we would all like such a mirror.

James 1:23–25 KJV 1900

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

When others look into scripture they will know if we have eternal life.

When we look int scripture and see ourselves, we will know that we have eternal life.

John tells us that the reflection in the mirror of the word of God will bear and image that is more than obedience but of one that is a keeper of God’s commands.

He is a preserver of it. He watches over it to see that others hear it, and he defends it against those who would try to destroy it.

What will you see when you look into this mirror?

Those who can see their reflection in this mirror are going to see four things as John tells us in verses 5-6. He will see someone who:

Regard them as a TREASURE. 4

This is not an optional proof.

If you have eternal life, you will be the security guard of “His commandments.”

It will be a natural thing.

It is something you would do even if you did not know you were supposed to do it.

Just like a mirror reflects without know it is supposed to.

Before Salvation they were suggestions and burdens.

Now, they are a TREASURE.

Recognizes the Sources of the Commandments.

Text:

In verse 3 & 4 the object of “keep” is “His commandments” in each case.

In verse 5 the object of “keep” is “his word.”

The commandments are not “His” because the Apostles gave them, but because they came from his own mouth.

The commandments are God’s very (exact) words.

The nature of God’s words:

When something comes from God there are no alternatives to it.

It is the very best for everybody - believers and unbelievers alike.

If I am a keeper of his word and his commandments that go with it, I will make my voice heard whenever someone tries to teach something else, even if that involves sacrifice.

Illus.: Woman who wild not allow The Bridges of Madison County to be filmed in her house because, “There has never been any adultery in my house and there never is never going to be as long as I’m alive.”

That is a keeper of the commandments.

A keeper has values based upon the nature of God.

Realizes the results of the commandments - in him verily is the love of God perfected.

Perfected = fulfilled

You have all there is to get.

Some believers “boo hoo” all of the time saying God doesn’t love them.

God will never love you any more than He does right now, and He is unable to love you less.

In fact, He wills to love you less.

John says that there is a relatinship between realizing all the goodies God has for us and our preserving His commands.

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: God’s blessings are directly the result of our obedience to and preservation of His words.

Scripture: Lev. 26

1 - “I am the Lord” = He reigns

3 - “Keep his commandments.”

4-9 = pours out blessing.

14-15 = not harken = ignore

16-18 = pours out a course.

LESSON: When He reigns, He pours.

It’s not a question of if He reigns.

The question is, “What is He going to pour on you?”

The answer is largely up to you.

The love of God is perfected (fulfilled) when we give Him the opportunity to pour out the good stuff.

That doesn’t mean there will be no trials.

Trials are a means of pouring out the good stuff you would not get otherwise.

Psalm 3:4–5 KJV 1900

I cried unto the Lord with my voice, And he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

Peace in spite of tough times.

Resorts to God’s means. 6

Verse 6 tells us the best way to keep His word and thereby, his commands.

Walk as He walked.

I like this because it pictures what it means.

As disciples of a master.

Bob Hurley’s walk.

You could tell his disciples because they walked like him.

This is much the same thing. You can tell one who abide in Him because they walk as He walked.

Walked where He walked.

Did what He did.

It is a lifestyle.

It is a question of where your feet thake you and what you intend to do when you get there.

It shows whether or not you are a disciple.

John 8:31 KJV 1900

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

CONCLUSION: When you look into this mirror, can you see yourself?

Do you see the image of:

One who treasures His words?

One who sees God behind the words?

One upon whom God is pouring?

On whose daily walk looks like His.