Thinking about mirrors

Now we see only a 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. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Most of us use a mirror several times a day without so much as thinking about it; it’s just part of everyday life. But if we do think about it, we realise that it really is a very clever invention. You can hold up this piece of glass and see a near-perfect reflection of your own face (though, of course, you may prefer not to!). Amazing!

Well, I don’t know when such glass mirrors were invented, but I’m pretty sure that generations of human beings would have been amazed to see such a thing.

In New Testament times mirrors would have been made of polished brass or some other metal, which would leave you peering a little awkwardly to get even a half-good view of yourself. And it’s that kind of mirror Paul is talking about in this verse. He’s not talking about seeing ourselves physically, of course, but of how we “see” life in general, including God and matters of “religion” - and saying that our view is at best clouded and partial.

To be honest, I don’t think the NIV Bible, from which I have quoted, is quite right, because the words Paul uses - literally, “through a mirror, in a riddle” - convey the essential idea of something that’s obscure and unsatisfactory. The old King James Bible says we see “through a glass, darkly” (I still like that!); N T Wright talks about seeing “puzzling reflections in a mirror”: the Good News Bible has “a dim image in a mirror”; and The Message paraphrase goes the whole hog and chooses to alter the metaphor altogether: “We don’t yet see things clearly; we’re squinting in a fog, peering in a mist” (I like that too!).

Whatever, what Paul is saying is that our understanding of things – even biblical, Christian things – is a long, long, long way from being perfect.

But – not for ever! “Now”, he goes on to say, we see in this very unsatisfactory way; but “then” we shall see “face to face”. “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known”. “Now”… and “then” - the difference between the two will be beyond description.

In a nutshell, Christian, you’re heading for perfection, but you aren’t there yet!

If this is so, it should stir up at least two feelings in our hearts – and, as it happens, they both begin with h.

First, hope.

Last time, under the heading Waiting for God, I wrote about the fact that God often keeps his people waiting. We thought about Martha and Mary of Bethany (John 11), following the death of their brother Lazarus. After sending for Jesus, he delayed two whole days before coming to them, which must have seemed an age. And every Christian knows the experience of praying – and praying – and praying – and…

Paul’s words here remind us that this applies too to the whole big picture of God’s dealings with the human race, and not least with us, his people. Here we are, living two thousand years after the earthly life of Jesus – and still he hasn’t come back!

But if Christianity is about anything, it’s about hope. The Bible repeatedly assures us that God is going to wind up the affairs of this troubled world and bring it to a perfect and glorious climax, when all sin and evil, pain and sorrow, will be finally banished. Just soak your mind in the last two chapters of Revelation, at the end of the Bible, and you can’t be in any doubt about that…

“God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21: 4). Words I love to read at a funeral; but words that are perfect for every ordinary day as well.

May God help us to live as men and women of hope and optimism, rejoicing each day in the wonderful future to which we can look!

But now the second h… humility.

If our grasp of spiritual things really is as obscure as Paul suggests, we’d better be careful not to be too sure of ourselves. No arrogance, please.

Yes, we have God’s word in the Bible – but much of that is difficult to understand (as the Bible itself recognises: 2 Peter 3:16). And yes, we have the Holy Spirit living within us – but the sin that still clouds our souls also has the effect of clouding our vision. Yes, we perhaps have a good church, good preachers and teachers, good Christian books to read.

Yes. Good. But even if all this is true, the fact remains that our understanding is extremely limited, and we know only a millionth part of what there is to know.

So… humility is called for! We could be wrong, even on the things we’re most sure of. That wonderfully convincing author or preacher could be wrong.

Stick to the essentials – Christ crucified, risen, ascended, and one day coming back. For the rest, let’s temper strong convictions with humble teachability. And let’s look forward to the day when that cloudy mirror will be gone, and we shall see Jesus face to face!

Heavenly Father, please keep me hoping, even when the waiting seems long. And please keep me humble, even when I’m most sure I’m right. Amen.