• I posed a question on Facebook, Twitter,and WordPress last night asking a simple question, “What is a mirror and what does it do?” Below are some of the responses. Some of the replies were humorous to philosophical. But I received the basic response I was expecting.

  According to Merriams-Webster Dictionary:

  Mirror:

  1

  : a polished or smooth surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection

  2

  a : something that gives a true representation

   

  b : an exemplary model

  • 

    A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality subsequent to its contact with the mirror, Mirrors are commonly used for personal grooming or admiring oneself
  • 
  •  A mirrors tell you the truth

    
  •  A mirror is a vehicle carrier (for sociology folks) it lets one see what they want to see about self and immediate surrounding

    
  • A mirror is a portal into a magical realm, where my physical self manifests properties that are deemed “attractive” to “ladies” and I have the uncanny ability to talk to people without any regard to my inhibitions…and brush my teeth into my magical toothbrush/microphone.

    
  • Mirrors: An image reflective device. What they do: Reflect back what they see.

    
  • A mirror is a man made object to show a reflection. It’s also what John said a portal to another dimension.

  A mirror can be used for for different purposes but in fact it is usually a piece of glass with a reflective coating which is used to show an exact reflection of the image of whatever is in front of it. (We are leaving the side show carnival mirrors out of this blog for now)

  2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Mirror Translation)

  The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. in gazing at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves!  Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are led from an inferior mind-set to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity . Man Kind is His glory!

  2 Corinthians 3:18  (Amplified Bible)

  And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit

  I have read this verse over and over for the past umpteen plus years and never have I put much thought into it. If you look at my previous blogs over the past month you will see that I have been digging into the book of Romans. It has been eye opening. I have spent hours contemplating the cross and grace. I have come to realize I and most Christians  I’ve ever known think they are living under the New Covenant when in fact when in reality its most are living in a mix of the Old Covenant (the Law) and the New Covenant (Grace). It is impossible  to be in both. you either live under the Law and attain through will power the ability to keep the 10 Commandments and the 600+ minor laws, or you live under the New Covenant and grace. It is one or the other. Jesus paid my spiritual mortgage 2000 years prior to me taking my first breath.  He knew me before I was conceived and was waiting enthusiastically for me to be here.

  I’m seeing the mirror as a two way street we see ourselves in Christ and he sees him in us, a mirror sees the present time and not the future or past. God is in us now we are blameless and innocent as he took care of my sin issues on the cross 2000 years ago.the ramifications of the cross when realized by the believer radically change ones paradigm. We look into the mirror and see what God sees. He sees us free of sin free of condemnation perfect before him. The vice versa is in effect as well, if he sees that, that is the spiritual reality the mirror should produce for us as well. I don’t have all the words to express this perfectly at this point but the revelation of the two sides the two perceptions of the mirror are liberating. There is now no condemnation I do not have to strive to come to my father. It’s unconditional acceptance. The mere thought of this draws me in to want more of him. This in not some sloppy grace fest. There are some groups out there that take shots at what they term the hyper grace message because they say it licenses the christian to sin. It’s the exact opposite the grace pulls you in to want more. He made man to relate to him on a personal basis. Prior to the fall (Adam), Adam walked and talked with God. The cross brought us back to right standing. a hard reset was done bringing back our original identity and redeemed innocence. He payed my spiritual mortgage.

  The ramifications of the cross and what was done for me there are life changing. The realization that grace was poured out unconditionally and I now no longer am bound by the law. I am not bound up with a DIY mindset (work in progress) is freeing. 99% of my Christianity has been based on attaining a level of acceptance that is impossible. A DIY mentality is crippling to a spiritual walk. The epiphany of “looking into th mirror” has been radical to say the least. Not only do we see a reflection of Christ in the mirror but He also sees his reflection in us. Mirrors see the present,  not the past or future.  He sees me sinless blameless now regardless of how I feel about me. Grace was a total gift. The cross or what was accomplished at the cross should be freeing to anyone who gets it. The realization or understanding that he died and our sin nature died at that moment and our original identity of redeemed innocence was in place 2000 years ago… Woo Hoooooo! HE REALLY REALLY LIKES ME!

  Romans 1:17 AMP

  For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.

  Romans 1:17 TMT

  Herein lies the secret of the power of the Gospel; There is no good news in it till the righteousness of of God is revealed. The dynamic of the Gospel is the revelation of God’s faith as the only valid basis for our belief. The prophets wrote in advance about the fact that God believes that righteousness unveils the life that he had in mind for us. “Righteousness by his (God’s) defines life.”

.

I’m Trading My Sorrows, Jeremy Camp

Replace trading with the word traded