For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (James 1:23-24 ESV)
The Bible is an amazing thing. It is at once accessible and understandable to small children, yet confounding and infinitely deep to the theologian. As earnestly as any man studies Scripture he will inevitably encounter the infinity of God, and will be unable to grasp every part of its instruction. God’s Word is a marvel and when we begin to look closely, we discover that it glistens and shines like a finely cut gem with facet upon facet of gleaming truth. But this “finely cut gem” is not like others that we would view through a glass case in a museum. It isn’t merely a thing of beauty to be looked at and temporarily appreciated. No, Scripture contains the very breath, the very life of God (2 Timothy 3:16). It is like a mirror that reveals to us two things: one, who we are presently, and two, whose image we are being conformed to (Romans 8:29). We would do well to gaze honestly into the mirror of Scripture and humbly submit to the image it reflects. As you study the Bible and are convicted by the way you are living, don’t resist the truth, and don’t make excuses for yourself. Submit to God’s Word as the highest and final authority and he will continually conform you to the image of Christ.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9 ESV)