LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL: MIRROR, MIRROR

Who can forget the story of Snow White? Walt Disney became famous for his 1937 movie, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the story has been remade several times.  It is a classic story of good and evil, purity versus corruption, and love conquering hate.  We are able to see clearly the vanity and jealousy of the evil queen when she says to the magic mirror, “Mirror, mirror on the wall….”  It is hard for us to get a genuine picture of ourselves.  As we go through this pandemic, we wonder if we are seeing the true picture.  In our sermon series, Liberty and Justice for All, we turn to James 1:17-27 with the sermon, Mirror, Mirror.  These people were very similar to us. They were going through difficult times.  They were angry; blaming each other and even God for their misfortune. James tells them that there is a better way, but they have to see the true reflection of themselves and God.  When we see our clear reflection, we are set free to find the right action, blessings, and peace!  As you read James 1:17-27, may the power of the living Word fill you with joy, hope, and peace!  James 1:17-27:  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. 19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it– not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it– they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (NIV)