received the mirror, she went into her hut alone to take a long look at her "beauty." She held up the glass and clearly saw how unattractive she really was. With great anger, she dashed the mirror to pieces, banished the missionary from her tribe, and made a law that no such glass could ever be brought into the tribe again.

Why did the princess hate the mirror? What truth did it tell her? Why do so many people hate the Bible? What truth does the Bible tell us about ourselves? Why are we not attractive in the eyes of God?

Due to its speaking the truth about our sinfulness and misery, the true Word of God and true religion are often despised and cast away.

While the Bible and true religion may be compared to a mirror when God shows us our sinfulness or misery, it is different in another respect. It not only shows us who we are, but whom else does it reveal?

Have you discovered enmity against God and His way of salvation in your own heart? Our sinful nature and pride cannot endure the true teachings of Scripture - our total sinfulness and God's total free grace. We would be willing to work hard to earn our salvation and keep our pride, but to be freely saved as a lost sinner and beggar by another stirs our proud hearts to rebellion.

Those who have experienced the truths of true Christianity in their hearts have surrendered to God through the conquering love of His Spirit. They now love to proclaim and live true religion-God exalted to the highest and self abased to the lowest. Is this your life?

Does the biblical "mirror" reveal each of us as an "attractive" person? Why not? Why is it natural for each of us to hate the "mirror of biblical truth" as the princess hated the missionary's mirror?

Why is it to man's natural liking to change God's truths regarding his sinful condition?

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

- Philippians 3:8-9

1. Are the Holy Scriptures perfect?

Yes, "The law of the Lord is perfect" (Ps. 19:7).

2. Was any part of the Holy Scriptures lost or falsified?

No. They are as entire and pure as they ever were (Matt. 5:18).

3. Are human traditions necessary for salvation in addition to the Holy Scriptures?

No, the Holy Scriptures alone are sufficient. "In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:9).

4. Are the Holy Scriptures plain or obscure?

The Bible is plain in all things necessary for salvation. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps. 119.-105).

5. What then does Peter mean when he says that in the epistles of Paul there are some things that are hard to understand (11 Peter 3:16)?

That the truth of a thing may be clearly revealed although we cannot comprehend the matter in itself, as is true of all scriptural mysteries, such the Triune existence of God, etc.

6. Must we read the Holy Scriptures?

Yes. "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me" (John 5.39).

7. How must we search the Scriptures?

(1) In the fear of God (Ps. 111:10); (2) with a praying heart (Ps. 119.18), (3) reverently (Isaiah 66.5); (4) attentively and with spiritual judgment (I Cor. 2:13).