Blessed be the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!Welcome, beloved. Today, let us take time to study the Word of God. Throughout the Bible, God’s Word is likened to various objects that help us understand its nature and impact in our lives. It is called: A lamp – “ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105) A sword – “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword…” (Hebrews 4:12) The sword of the Spirit – “ Take… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17) And a mirror –which will be our focus today. The Word of God as a Mirror Let’s think about the role of a mirror. A mirror doesn’t create an image; it reveals what is already there. Before stepping out for work, school, or any public place, most people glance at a mirror to check their appearance. Why? Because the mirror shows any untidiness — messy hair, crooked tie, unwashed face — that we might not notice on our own. In the same way, God’s Word functions as a spiritual mirror. It reveals not our physical appearance but the true condition of our hearts, our attitudes, and our actions. It exposes sin that hides beneath the surface and urges us to make corrections before stepping into life’s spiritual battles. The Danger of Ignoring What You See Imagine a man sees himself in the mirror and notices dirt on his face and messy hair, but instead of fixing it, he shrugs and walks away. Later in the day, he sees his reflection again and is embarrassed. Why? Because he saw the truth earlier but did nothing about it. James compares this directly to those who hear God’s Word but don’t obey it: James 1:22–25 (KJV):“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” To hear the Word and walk away without responding is self-deception. It’s like admiring your reflection but doing nothing about the flaws it reveals. God doesn’t show us our spiritual dirt to embarrass us, but so we may repent, confess, and change. The Word Convicts and Demands Action When the Word is preached or read, it penetrates deeply: Hebrews 4:12 (NIV):“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The Word exposes jealousy, pride, unforgiveness, immorality, rebellion, lukewarmness, and other hidden sins. At that moment — when the mirror is placed before you — you must act. If you delay, you are likely to forget what God has revealed, and your heart may grow cold and hardened. Hebrews 3:15 (ESV):“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Delayed Obedience Is Disobedience Many people feel conviction when they hear the Word, but they delay responding. They say: “I’ll repent later.”“I’ll stop living in sin next month.”“I’ll start taking God seriously after this season in life.” But the Bible says the time to respond is now: 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV):“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” The danger of delay is that we may forget, lose conviction, or harden our hearts. God’s Word is a call to immediate action. What Have You Done With What You’ve Heard? You’ve heard the Word. You know that: Adultery and fornication are sin (1 Corinthians 6:9–10) Lust and worldly passions are condemned (Titus 2:12) God calls us to holiness in speech, dress, and conduct (1 Peter 1:15–16) Those who practice iniquity will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19–21) So what have you done with this truth? Have you: Repented sincerely? Forsaken your sins? Surrendered fully to Christ? Or have you looked into the mirror and walked away, still intending to “fix” yourself later? Today, God Has Placed the Mirror Before You Again Beloved, this moment is not a coincidence. God is giving you another chance. He is placing the mirror of His Word before you once more. Will you take it seriously this time? Proverbs 28:13 (NIV):“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Isaiah 55:6–7 (NIV):“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them.” Responding to the Word If you are ready to give your life to Christ today, it will be the wisest and most rewarding decision you ever make. Here’s what you must do: Humble yourself before God. Confess that you are a sinner in need of His mercy. Repent — turn from sin and commit to following Christ. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins: Acts 2:38 (KJV):“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Receive the Holy Spirit, who will teach, guide, comfort, and strengthen you to walk in victory. May the Lord bless you and help you to be not just a hearer of the Word, but a doer.Maranatha — The Lord is coming!
“Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome as we explore the Word of God—our light, our guide, and our hope on the journey to heaven.”(Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” NKJV) Have you ever wondered why national flags often consist of multiple colors, and how each color carries a specific meaning? For example, the flag of Tanzania has four colors: black represents its people, yellow symbolizes natural resources, green stands for agriculture and vegetation, and blue represents water bodies like oceans and lakes. In the same way, the colors are not just for decoration—they communicate the identity and values of a nation. Likewise, God has His own “flag”, revealed not on a piece of cloth, but in the sky itself: the rainbow. The Rainbow—God’s Divine Banner After the great flood in Noah’s time, God placed the rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant not to destroy the earth by water again. “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.”(Genesis 9:13, NKJV) This rainbow is more than a visual sign—it is a revelation of God’s character. While human flags are made of fabric, God’s flag is painted in the heavens with seven distinct colors, each representing something profound about His divine nature. Two Foundational Attributes of God Before we explore the symbolism of the rainbow, it’s important to understand two foundational attributes of God revealed in Scripture: God is Abounding in Anger “God is jealous, and the Lord avenges;The Lord avenges and is furious.The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries,And He reserves wrath for His enemies.”(Nahum 1:2, NKJV) God is Abounding in Mercy “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed,‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…’”(Exodus 34:6, NKJV)See also: Psalm 145:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2. This duality—abundant wrath and abundant mercy—is uniquely present in the nature of God. While He can be provoked to anger, the Bible also says He is “slow to anger” (Psalm 103:8), showing that His mercy delays His judgment. The Rainbow: A Journey from Wrath to Mercy In everyday life, color often reflects emotional or physical states. For instance, red is commonly associated with heat, danger, or anger. Think of a person flushing red when angry. On the other hand, blue symbolizes calmness, peace, and coolness. A hot object glows red; a cold one appears bluish. These metaphors help us grasp the spiritual symbolism of the rainbow. Let’s explore each of the seven colors of the rainbow as a progressive revelation of God’s movement from judgment to mercy, starting from red and ending in blue: 1. Red – Wrath, Judgment Symbolizes God’s anger and holiness that cannot tolerate sin. It reminds us of divine justice and the seriousness of rebellion. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness…” (Romans 1:18) 2. Orange – Diminishing Judgment This color reflects the beginning of mercy. It suggests a tempering of judgment and the gradual transition away from divine anger. 3. Yellow – Hope and Glory A bright and hopeful color, yellow represents the light of God shining through the storm, pointing to His glorious promises. “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light…” (Matthew 4:16) 4. Green – Life, Grace, and Renewal This is the center of the rainbow and represents God’s grace—His power to bring new life and restore what was broken. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…” (Psalm 23:2–3) 5. Blue-Green (Cyan) – Calmness and Increasing Mercy As we move further from red, God’s mercy deepens. This color reflects healing, calm, and spiritual refreshing. 6. Blue – Peace and Divine Mercy Symbolizing the fullness of God’s compassion and serenity. It’s no coincidence that the sky itself is blue, as a permanent reminder of God’s mercy over the earth. “But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.” (Psalm 86:15) 7. Violet (Purple) – Majesty and Kingship Though not always visible in every rainbow, purple signifies God’s royal authority, sovereignty, and holiness. “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19) Theological Significance: Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment After the flood, God’s rainbow was a symbol that His mercy had triumphed over His judgment. “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13b) The progression of rainbow colors—from red to violet—mirrors the transition from divine wrath to divine grace, from judgment to restoration, all ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Call to Respond: Accept His Mercy Today Jesus Christ offers complete forgiveness and rest for your soul: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28–30) No matter how far you’ve gone, His mercy is greater still. If you repent today and turn to Him, His anger will be turned away, and His mercy will overflow in your life. But beware: rejecting His mercy means falling back into His wrath. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) Conclusion The rainbow is not just a beautiful arc in the sky—it is God’s banner of love, justice, mercy, and promise. It tells the story of a holy God who judges sin but delights in mercy. May it remind us to seek His grace while it is still available. Maranatha – The Lord is coming!