To see ourselves as we really are is one of the most difficult things in the world to do.

For many of us, it is hard enough to look in the mirror each morning and see that face staring back at us. We like to kid ourselves that we are not really getting that old.

But it is even more difficult to face our spiritual image and see ourselves as God sees us. But we can do it, if we will. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22-25)

God pictures His word as a mirror for our souls - to reveal us to ourselves.

He tells us that as we look into that mirror, we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

That is, with the eye of faith we see the Lord, and we then become like He is. The apostle Paul also shows this purpose in the revealed word of God, as he writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12, Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known..

Partial revelation could give only a partial picture of one's spiritual condition. But the revealed word of God fully reveals us, as we look into that mirror... face to face. Just as we see ourselves face-to-face in our mirror at home, that clearly can we see our spiritual condition when we look into God's word.