livin life

As happens so very often, my thoughts have been on Romans 12 today. Whenever I start to reflect on myself, I go here and open up my thoughts and motives to the word. Very quickly I can see where I am.

"In view of God's mercy" For me this is the most important statement. The questions all begin here. Without knowledge of the mercy of God, I can never see clearly enough to see anything wrong with myself. I can always justify my actions to myself, because I know I am a nice guy. I am wonderful and do everything from a moral high point. PHHHH yeah right! I am an adulterer, a liar, a murderer, a thief, complacent, brutal, and heartlessly cruel, without God. With God I am something altogether different. God loved me even when I hated Him and gave His son to take my punishment when I could care less. So I deserve nothing but judgment. "In view of God's mercy" going from this statement I have to realize my motives are skewed so I can't trust them.

"be transformed" From here I have hope, because transformation is not only possible but expected. "by the renewing of your mind" This is where I transform. As the way I think is transformed not once, but as a constant renewal. A fresh outlook is the only way to change. With this knowledge, that God's mercy is available and it will transform the way I think and therefore the way I act, I can read the bible and it be more than a collection of good ideas or dusty old stories.

So that is what I need to see to look at my self. The rest of the chapter is all about what a follower of Christ is, in regard to other Christians, non christians and in themselves.

I am not perfect but Christ is making me more and more like Him. When I see His face I will finally be complete. Finally be what God intended at the very beginning of time.