James 1:23-24, Berean Standard Bible

“For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

In many of the letters written by the Apostle Paul he mentioned a goal: Imitating Christ.

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV)

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” (Philippians 3:17, ESV)

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)

We also read something similar in James 1:23-24 (BSB), “For anyone (you and I) who hears the word (who is Jesus) but does not carry it out (imitating Christ by following and obeying His way) is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like”

How could we possibly forget what we look like? As I have observed myself and others around me, I have noticed something: We will begin to speak and act like those who we are surrounded ourselves with. Sometimes it may be the friends we are spending time with, a character on a TV show we are watching, or a trend or style we are following on social media. When we speak or take action, we often will imitate what we have seen in others.

So, the true question is: Who are we supposed to look like? Before we answer this question, I have another one for you. Can you confidently say that you are a follower of Christ? Do you observe His word, Jesus, and aim to be like Him? When you look in the mirror, whose image is reflected? Or like Paul said, are we a hearer of the Word and not a doer? Do we forget that we are made in the image of God after we look in the mirror? Do we only see our own reflection rather than the reflection of Christ? Do we desire for others to know who we are instead of knowing who Christ is?

When Paul mentioned imitating him here is the reason, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And that which I now live in the flesh, I live through faith from the Son of God, the One having loved me and having given up Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20, BLB)

The One who lives in us is Christ, when we look in the mirror, the reflection should be Christ and not us. People who come near us should hear Christ and see Christ. It is time for us to be a doer and imitator of Jesus!