Yesterday, we talked about James describing God’s Word as a mirror.
That thought sparked some interesting discussion.
One person commented that the Bible is written so we can see Christ and follow God—not so we can see ourselves.
In one sense, I completely agree.
The Bible is not primarily a self-help book. It is the revelation of God. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture points us to God’s character, God’s promises, God’s mercy, God’s judgment, and ultimately God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Christ is the center of Scripture.
But I think we can make a mistake if we stop there.
If Scripture reveals Christ, and Christ exposes what is in my heart, then self-examination becomes unavoidable.
Throughout the Bible, we find people who encountered God and immediately became aware of themselves.
When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, his first response was not to analyze the sins of the nation around him. He cried, “Woe is me! for I am undone.”
When Peter witnessed the miraculous catch of fish, he fell at Jesus’ feet and said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
At the Last Supper, when Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him, they did not immediately begin pointing fingers. Instead, one by one, they asked, “Lord, is it I?”
In every case, seeing God more clearly caused them to see themselves more clearly.
That is why James compares God’s Word to a mirror.
A mirror does not create flaws.
A mirror reveals what is already there.
The purpose of Scripture is not to make me the hero of the story. The purpose of Scripture is to reveal God. Yet when God is revealed, I begin to see myself honestly.
We do not read David so we can pretend we are David.
We do not read Esau so we can condemn Esau.
We do not read Peter simply to admire Peter.
These men often become mirrors.
David reveals the heart of repentance.
Esau reveals the danger of placing temporary desires above eternal blessings.
Peter reveals how quickly passion can outrun wisdom.
Judas reveals that it is possible to be near Jesus while withholding complete surrender.
The goal is not identification.
The goal is transformation.
The question is not, “Which Bible character am I?”
The better question is, “Lord, what are You showing me that needs to change?”
That question requires humility.
It is easy to read about the Pharisees and see someone else.
It is easy to read about Judas and think of someone else’s betrayal.
It is easy to read about Esau and think of someone else’s poor choices.
It is much harder to ask whether traces of those same attitudes might exist in our own hearts.
Yet that is often where real growth begins.
The closer we draw to God, the less interested we become in evaluating everyone else and the more willing we become to examine ourselves.
Perhaps that is why the disciples’ question still echoes through Scripture.
Not, “Lord, is it him?”
Not, “Lord, is it her?”
Not, “Lord, is it them?”
But, “Lord, is it I?”
When we open God’s Word, may we see Christ more clearly than ever before.
And in His light, may we have the courage to see ourselves honestly as well.
