Are We Good at “Christianing”?

We, Christian (Christ-like) folks think we're pretty decent people. You know, we have all those "good" things to our credit: going to church, tithing, giving offerings, wearing a cross necklace, attending a Bible Study, volunteering for a charity. How could anyone think we are anything but wonderful? I think of myself as being a pretty good girl -- kind, sweet, loving, honest, and trustworthy. I felt like I was measuring up -- until God gave me insight to my true nature. I’ve come to terms with myself – that I am anything but those things. I was taken back when I read St. Paul’s words: “in my flesh dwells no good thing." (Romans 7:18). And even Jesus replied to the ruler who called Him “good teacher”: “Why do you call me good? No one is good--except God alone.” (Luke 18:19) Oh. My. Goodness. Jesus, in all His perfection Who merits the “What Would Jesus Do?” quote award and Who emulates His Father in every way, said those words. Like many believers, I thought my efforts to do good were keeping me straight. But, my being a do-gooder isn't what it's all about. It is all about God’s amazing grace and not any of my merits. While I'd like to get one of God's special supernatural embraces -- you know, one of those "handwriting on the wall" types of experiences, my “good, good Father” wants me to be the best version of a daughter of His – gently and lovingly teaching me yet another life-lesson. I'm so thankful, like I said a few days ago, that God keeps me on a short leash and when I start to meander through the slightest tacky, boastful or unbecoming ways -- that He reels me back in with the sweetest and tender "time-out". I often have little talks with Jesus about the "issues" of someone else, but then God sets up an incident that humbles me or He sets up divine set-ups to help me grow up. There is no better way for God to increase my understanding of His great love for me than for Him to reveal to me my weaknesses and remind me that Christ gave His life for me and every day I must purpose to model Him. The fact is – none of us are “good” people. But God loves us, anyway. And as we continue to acknowledge our true condition, He will ensure that by His grace, we will be transformed into the image of His Son. When we choose the way of redemption, we change our destiny. We move from the darkness of the world into the light of the Lord. Now we walk the path of redemption in goodness and truth so that we can produce the fruit fitting a child of the King.