A skeptic once started reading the Bible and described his experience in this way:
I first began to study the Bible as a skeptic and an unbeliever – with the background of a student and teacher of philosophy. I approached it as being merely one among many systems of philosophy in the world. However, as I continued to study it, I became conscious, even against my own will, of certain strange and deep-seated changes taking place within me…. As I studied the Bible, even though I could not fully understand it, I became conscious that I was being measured by some standard that was not my own nor that of any human being…. My attitude of intellectual superiority, my sense of self-confidence and self-sufficiency began to crumble… Like Belshazzar in the hour of his feast, there seemed to open up before my unwilling eyes the words “You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.”
I became increasingly conscious of some deep need within my own being which I could neither define nor satisfy. I did not clearly understand it, but through the mirror of His Word, God was showing me the truth concerning my own inner need and emptiness.
These words were written by Derek Prince in his book “The Spirit-Filled Believer’s Handbook“, a Cambridge scholar who became one of the greatest Bible teachers of all time.
His testimony illustrates the power of God’s Holy Word as a mirror for our souls. The mirror of God’s Word will reveal and bring to light our spiritual infirmities and uncleanness. When the Word of God reveals some area of our life that needs correction, we must act immediately to correct ourselves and our lives. Only by acting without delay can we receive the forgiveness, cleansing and healing and all the other blessings that God has provided for us.
Through the hearing or reading of God’s Word and the moving of God’s Spirit, we come under conviction concerning those things in our hearts and lives which are unclean, harmful and displeasing to God. Looking into the mirror of God’s Word, we see our own spiritual condition as God sees it.
When the Word of God convicts a person, their immediate reaction may be one of remorse and sorrow. They realize their need to change. They may go to a church, pray and shed tears, but there may be no effectual change in the way they live and they eventually forget what God had shown them. This is why it is critical for the life of one’s soul to continue to look into the mirror of God’s Word daily.
When a person diligently seeks God with humility and sincerity, they will discover that as God revealed their need through His written Word, He is also able to satisfy that need completely through the Person of His Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. That person will also discover that as God’s Word revealed their fallen condition, God’s Word also reveals what a person can become through faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Christ, a person receives the spotless garment of salvation and a shining robe of righteousness.
If we take to heart God’s Word of correction, act immediately upon this revelation, repent, believe and obey the Gospel, the next time we look into the mirror we no longer see our old sinful nature. Instead, we see ourselves as God sees us in Christ: forgiven, cleansed, justified, a new creation. We understand that a miracle has taken place and we rejoice!
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, Who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
It is while we look into the mirror of God’s Word that God’s Spirit works upon us to change us into the likeness of Christ. As we look into this mirror, we find the faith and courage to endure and to triumph over all afflictions.
So, my friends, let us look into the mirror of God’s word daily so we can experience transforming grace and victorious living and praise God in this life and forever!
Amen.
