A Mirror of Words
Scripture can be a mirror to our inner self
Seeing the Life of the Believer Through Scripture’s Eyes
To describe the life of a mainstream Christian believer, we hold up the mirror of Scripture—not to condemn, but to reflect. The goal is to measure their current spiritual condition against what Scripture reveals about the nature of true discipleship, the purpose of salvation, and the indwelling power of the Spirit. This reflection is rooted in mainstream teaching: salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), repentance (Acts 3:19), and assurance of eternal life (John 3:16). Yet the mirror also reveals what may be underemphasized—namely, the complete surrender of the will, daily self-denial, and the empowering presence of the Spirit.
Beholding the Mainstream Believer’s Life in the Mirror
You have heard the message that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again, and you have believed it (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). You’ve turned from sin, confessed Jesus as Lord, and rejoiced in salvation not earned by works, but given by grace (Ephesians 2:8–9). You trust that your name is written in the Book of Life, and you walk with hope, knowing Christ is returning (John 3:16; Romans 5:1).
Yet the mirror asks: How deep has the Word taken root? You read Scripture. You worship. You may even evangelize. But do you hear and obey God’s Word—the Greek Logos, meaning the mind and will of God our Father—planted in your heart (James 1:21)?
Do you honor that implanted Word with the death of your own will, as Jesus did when He said, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42)? Or do two wills still war within you: one seeking the Kingdom, the other clinging to comfort?
Your faith may rest on what you once confessed, but Jesus warns: not all who say, “Lord, Lord” will enter the Kingdom—only those who do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). Are you doing His will daily, or relying on a past moment of belief?
Your cross may hang on a wall, but have you picked it up? Have you denied yourself, daily, as Christ commanded (Luke 9:23)? Or has the cross become a symbol rather than a daily sentence of death to self-will (John 12:24)?
You may obey occasionally, when convenient. But is obedience the gateway to your salvation or a side effect of it? Scripture says eternal salvation is for those who obey (Hebrews 5:9). Jesus said those who love Him keep His word—which, He clarifies, is the Father’s word (John 14:23; John 14:24).
You believe the Spirit dwells in you (Acts 2:38), but do you live by that power—putting sin to death by the Spirit (Romans 8:13)? Or do you struggle endlessly, cycling through guilt and failure, leaning on human effort more than supernatural grace? Though you may know moments of victory (Romans 6:14), without daily surrender, sin persists.
There is fruit in your life—perhaps kindness, patience, or service—but is it the kind of fruit that proves your sonship (Romans 8:14)? Or is it sporadic, inconsistent, the fruit of the flesh dressed in religious language?
You may feel joy in worship and assurance in teaching, but have you truly abided in Christ, bearing fruit that endures (John 15:5)? Or are you lukewarm, content but unfulfilled, standing halfway between worldliness and surrender (Revelation 3:15–16)?
Some of you bear fruit, loving and serving as Christ commands (John 13:35), yet your gospel may not demand the daily death that ensures enduring fruit (John 15:5). Do you abide in Christ, letting His word dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16), or do you rely on religious acts that bear fleeting fruit?
If the mirror reveals a divided will, take heart: God works in you to will and act for His purpose (Philippians 2:13). Draw near, surrender, and let the Word grow (James 1:21).
In Contrast: The Life of One Transformed by God’s Word (Logos)
Now compare this reflection to the one who receives the Word of the Father—the Greek Logos, meaning His divine reasoning, mind, and will—as seed in their heart. This believer does not treat the gospel as a moment but as a process of transformation, where the implanted Word takes root and their own will dies to make room for the Father’s will to live (James 1:21; John 12:24).
They live not with two competing wills—self and God—but with one ruling will: the Father’s. Daily, they deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus—not merely in theology, but in life, in pain, in surrender (Luke 9:23).
“You Are Not Worthy of Me”: The Core of the Cross
Jesus wasn’t calling people to be “better versions of themselves.” He was declaring:
“If you will not carry your cross and follow me — you cannot belong to me. You are not worthy of me.”
This isn’t about religious effort.
This isn’t about pain tolerance.
This is about ownership.
The cross was a death sentence — not a metaphor. Jesus is saying:
“Unless you die to your will, your plans, your pride — and follow Me — you cannot be Mine.”
The one transformed by the Logos still faces temptation, but triumphs by the Spirit’s power (1 Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 5:16). It becomes a choice—unlike the wavering will that falters.
They obey not as a consequence of belief, but as the proof of faith, because faith itself means surrendering the will (Romans 10:9; Hebrews 5:9). The implanted Logos governs their thoughts, decisions, relationships, and purpose.
They are led by the Spirit, not only in emotion but in action (Romans 8:14). They overcome sin not by effort, but by allowing the Spirit to uproot all that opposes the Word within (Romans 8:13). The result is fruit—love, joy, peace—not as goals, but as natural outcomes of their union with the Father’s will (Galatians 5:22).
Their assurance does not rest in a moment of belief, but in the daily evidence of transformation. They do not ask, “Am I saved?” but rather, “Is the Father’s will being done in me?” (Matthew 6:10).
They know they are no longer their own. The servant of the Word—the implanted Logos—is not concerned for their own well-being, nor do they question what God may choose to do with their life. Whether He appoints pain, suffering, or blessing, it is all the same, for slaves of righteousness do not demand comfort—they rejoice in obedience. Though blessing is preferred, the will of the Master rules.
We are either a slave to sin—missing the mark—or a slave to God’s will. One thing is certain: a slave does not have the luxury of personal rights or privilege (Romans 6:16-18). The question is not whether you are a slave, but whom you serve.
Two Reflections, Two Paths
The mirror reveals two lives:
One reflects a believer who believes, but still struggles with self-rule, partial obedience, and spiritual fatigue. They love God, but unknowingly resist His will.
The other reflects a believer who has died to self, receiving the implanted Word as law, life, and purpose. They have no will but the Father’s, and they are becoming sons by obedience, just as Jesus was (Romans 8:29).
Both may attend church. Both may read Scripture. But only one fulfills the gospel’s true call: to surrender the self completely and live by the Father’s implanted will.
Which mirror reflects you?
Scripture says: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Not merely if you believe—but if the Word has taken root, if the self has died, if obedience flows like breath.
The seed has been sown. But has it grown? Has your will died that the Father’s will might live in you? (John 12:24)
This is the gospel—not just to be saved from hell, but to be transformed into a vessel of the Father’s will, empowered by His Spirit, and made into a son by obedience.
If the mirror reveals distance, draw near. If the Word has been planted, let it bear fruit. If the will still wars within you, let it die.
Only one will can remain: yours, or the Father’s.
Only one kind of seed will grow: the flesh, or the implanted Word—which is God’s thoughts, plans, and desires specific to you. (James 1:21, Galatians 6:7–8, Luke 8:11, Romans 8:5–6)
Choose today whom you will serve. (Joshua 24:15)
Does this message lack anything? Yes
If you want, you can study the following yourself with the Holy Spirit leads you:
Affirming God’s work in all believers, even those inconsistent (Philippians 1:6).
Distinguishing occasional vs. habitual sin (1 John 1:8, 1 John 3:9).
Providing specific obedience examples (Matthew 5:44).
Noting community’s role in growth (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Emphasizing the Logos believer’s perseverance (Hebrews 12:1).
Offering a clearer transition path (John 8:31, Romans 12:2).
Genesis3:24 So he drove out the man: and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.