Taking a Look in the Mirror

I was reading in Romans today, specifically, Romans 12:9-21. In this passage, Paul describes various character traits of a true Christian. Paul describes a true Christian as one whose love is genuine, hates evil, loves with brotherly affection, outdoes others in showing honor, seeks the Spirit, serves the Lord, rejoices in hope, patient in tribulation, constantly praying, contributes to the needs of the saints and shows hospitality. According to Paul, true Christians bless those who persecute them, rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, live in harmony with others, don't look down at others, aren't arrogant, never repay evil with evil, always do what is honorable by others, live peaceably with all, never seek revenge and are never overcome with evil, but return good for evil. When I took a look in the mirror, I quickly realized how I, in no way at all, measured up to what I was supposed to look like. Honestly, I look like a non-Christian. My first thought was, "I need to do this better or do that better," but that isn't the answer either. I find myself doing that all the time though. I think if I read my Bible more and pray more and attend church every week (Sunday morning AND night), then I will be a better Christian. We all think like that don't we? That is called behavioral Christianity and that way of thinking can be very dangerous.

The truth is none of us can live up to the standard we are called to live up to. No matter what we try to do more of or live more like a certain way, we will fail. We have no chance on our own. Our hope comes in Christ. In Christ, we are all the things mentioned above. We will fail if we try to go at it alone, but with Christ, nothing is impossible. In Christ we are new creatures. He has made all things new. No matter what you may have or have not done in the past, God will forgive you. Romans 5:8 says that "but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Lets make a point to today to quit trying to fit a description and just let the blood of Christ wash over us and let Him live through us. Then and only then can we truly experience true hope and true joy!