I invite your review of my life, as it is oft difficult for a man to see the results of his own footsteps upon the land.  Have I trampled over the innocent?  Have I neglected the Lord’s Word in my walk?  Have I followed the leading of my eyes, flesh and pride?  Do I give honor, glory and praise to God or wash myself in self-recognition?  What of my love for the Father?  Do I love Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength?  Do I sin at each opportunity, denying the death of my flesh on the Cross with Jesus?  Do I remain unchanged, pursuing the same ideals of my past or have I been transformed by the Holy Spirit of God into a new creature, unrecognizable by historical context?  Do I live for this world, placing all my investment in capitalization of my worldly pursuits?  What of the hereafter, am I storing up treasures for myself in heaven?  Have I forsaken the practices and pleasures of Earthly citizenship, knowing fully that I do not belong within the roles of worldly accounting?  What would you tell me about me?

I know what you would say, that I have fallen short in all of these areas of my life.  I regret that your review would certainly be worse then my own introspection, but I believe that my grade would be failure at best.  How is that possible, when I have tried so hard, done so much, chased the dream of Christianity?  The resultant answer is undeniable, it is not about me, or the works I have done or continue to do.  I cannot self-sanctify, I have tried my hardest and still cannot live up to what I believe the Lord requires.  This purity, that the Lord requires is impossible through human achievement, it is solely a thing of Spirit, controlled and dispensed by God.  What then is my job in this pursuit of perfection, this desire for the Lord’s likeness?

My job is to love Him, myself and you.  I cannot extend the love of God to others without first expressing and accepting God’s love for me.  If I do not understand His unconditional and Sovereign love for a man like me, who deserves no quarter, then I will never understand how to love others the way that I would wish to be loved.  For, in understanding God’s love for me, I am humbled and prepared to offer that same requirement free love for others.  Once understanding how God gave Himself for “my” salvation and to return me to a position where I may begin relationship with Him, I can no longer refuse this same gentleness, kindness, patience and consideration to the world.  I cannot speak for God but this is how I would look at the love of my children.  If they truly loved me and knew how much I loved them, irrespective of their worldly actions, then they would be free to extend that same kindness and care to others.  I would consider it joy each time I saw them give love, especially where it was undeserved, for I would know that they were emulating and expressing their love for me through extension.  This is the crux of all Christian belief, as Christ told us, that all the law and the profits hinges on this love of the Father and others.  Without love there is no sanctification for lack of love denies the Spirit’s loving Hand upon our lives in transformation.

I have failed by every worldly standard, I have not great wealth, given by the sweat of my brow or as result of my talent and intention, I have no great understanding, peace of wisdom through my numerous pursuits of knowledge and meditation on serenity, I have no recognition for being that man who tolerates everything around him, never losing my cool, always extending courtesy even when offered anger.  Thanks be to God that I have been set free by the Grace offered me in confession, humility and belief.  I praise the Lord for that wonderful day when He took my sin upon Him as the perfect sacrifice, redeeming me to God, ending my war with the Almighty.  Since, we have established that my efforts have not done a lick of good toward making me look like Him, I throw up my hands in worship to a God who loved me that much.  Holy Spirit I commend my heart voluntarily to Your Work, as without it I am doomed to remain in likeness to my past.  Hallelujah, I am free indeed.  In Jesus Name I thank You for Your Love Lord.