Mirrors are used to reflect. When we look into a mirror, in some cases, we do not know what to expect, and others, we do. Reflections are images that reflect from our minds to the mirror. In many cases, what we see in the mirror is not what we really see in our mind.
We may be looking into the mirror, but our mind only allows for us to see what we believe of ourselves. What man/woman do you see in the mirror?
Let’s look at a scripture that talks about the right mirror that gives us the right reflection:
James 1:22-25 (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 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:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 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.
Notice verse 23, “beholding his natural face in a glass…,” New International Version says it this way, “…is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror…,” James uses the illustration of a man that looks into a mirror and goes his way and forgets what manner of man he was.
The Word of God is the Perfect Law of Liberty, which frees us to be us. We were created by God to reflect His image. Once we are born again, our spirit man is recreated into the exact same image of Jesus our Lord.
The example James used is better understood as the principle of meditation. This means that a born again believer must purposefully think on God’s Word for them to have the right mental image of who they are in Christ.
Just because a person is born again does not mean that they automatically have the right mental image in their minds.
Let’s read what Paul said regarding the mind:
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This verse was written to born again believers. If we are born again, then why would we need our minds renewed? At the new birth, the only part of our lives that is made new is our spirit.
According to 1 Thessalonians 5:23, we are made spirit, soul and body, let’s read it:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This verse makes a distinction between the three parts of man’s makeup; spirit and soul and body.
Let’s read what Jesus said about the spirit of man:
John 3:1-8 (KJV)
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Jesus specified what part of man must be born again; the spirit man.
What about the soul?
James says:
James 1:21 (KJV)
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
The Word is what causes the soul of man to be saved. This is not the spirit; Jesus is the only one that is able to change the spiritual condition of man. This takes place once we confess Jesus as the Lord of our lives. (Romans 10:9 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.)
The saving of the soul is our responsibility, not God’s. He deals with the born again experience, not us. The saving of the soul is our job. This comes through the renewing of our minds.
Once our minds are renewed to the Word of God, we will begin to see the reflection of what and who God made us to be. This will liberates us to be us. God wants you to be you. You are unique and there is no one else like you, so be the best you you can be.