A few nights ago, I dreamt that I was being chased by some bad people. Panting and gasping for air, I saw a table and a bench nearby, so I quickly ran towards it. Checking over my shoulder that the bad guys were no longer behind me, I sat down on the bench to catch my breath. Conveniently, there was a mirror on the table and after I took a look at myself in it, the dream ended just like that. The dream did not make any sense at all. It was a nonsensical dream, but as I start to write on this topic, a Bible verse comes to mind: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:23-24). 

To me, the world is like a huge stage and we have many different roles to play. However, there is one particular role we must not forget, and that is, we are Christ’s followers. As we look at ourselves in the mirror every morning, we must remember that you and I have our citizenships in heaven, and we live and move and have our being in Him (Acts 17:28). Everyday is another chance to start a fresh and brand new day with God’s new mercies toward us, great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23). 

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”

– Philippians 2:12

Salvation is the work and act by God, there is no need to add an iota of our efforts to make us more “saved”. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, bearing our guilt, shame and sins, Christ’s work of atonement is finished. By His blood we are washed and forgiven, white as snow. We are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). So what does it mean to work out our own salvation since Jesus Christ has paid it all on the cross?

The biblical writer was not referring to the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus but he was encouraging us to keep believing, holding fast to our Christian faith that we first received; that we seek to walk closely with the Lord despite our shortfalls. Even if we mess up again and again and again, even when we think we have no hope of restoration, we still must not give up until the race is finished. Be assured that during our spiritual walk with God, He will supply us with abounding grace. Grace that will draw us closer to His presence, yearning to spend time in prayer and Bible-reading, spreading the gospel and doing good works. Slowly but surely, we will develop spiritual muscle, the Holy Spirit will empower us to hold hard to our faith, enduring it all, giving praises and thanks to God as we witness how He works in ours and other peoples’ lives. It is not going to be an easy journey and God knows it too. In fact, the Bible tells us that we will each receive our own rewards (1 Corinthians 3:14), as we build on Christ, for He is our cornerstone.​

So the next time you look at the mirror, tell yourself that you are bought by the blood of Christ, that all your sins are forgiven, that you are now a new creation, a beloved child of God!

The breath in our nostrils is God’s gift moment by moment. 

– Charles Spurgeon