What makes you rejoice?

What makes you unexpectedly excited and spontaneously explodes you with happiness?  The things which have this effect in you are a good indicator of whether you are a Christian or whether you are fooling yourself (or pretending for the eyes of others).

 

If you never find yourself excited about a loved one making the right moral decision, or their growth in personal discipline and contemplation of godly matters, then you clearly don't consider these things important.

 

Are you more excited when the latest gadget is released? Or do your worldly concerns overpower and you want a pay rise to end your financial struggles more than you want to see your children learning to look to God for help?

 

Do you constantly seek God?

 

Yet, it is a journey of formation - your sanctification. If you find these things hard to get excited about, but you want to be excited about them, then ask God who gives all things to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Details awareness (again)

You can't consider details enough. Whether it's the finer points of scripture reporting attributes of God, aspects of your life which require long term strategy to sanctify, or details of your conversation technique of which even a momentary slip up can have eternal consequences. All of these details are important beyond our understanding.

 

Realise this though: you don't need to get it perfect for God to accomplish his will. He will ensure the outcome so relax just enough to maintain your sanity!

 

The process of becoming aware of details leads to the process of becoming better at controlling those aspects noticed. It takes years but is rewarding beyond all expectation.

 

It must also be noted that your success in this is dependent on the work of the Spirit in you. So pray for help and never stop.

Hang in there

Even the most spiritual person of all is too weak to make it on their own.  You can do a lot but you are still a fallen human being, redeemed at best, waiting for Christ to return and to complete your transformation.

 

Never fear though, Jesus' sacrifice means that the Christian's efforts are not in vain.  Hang in there and continue to strive for perfection.

 

So what is perfection?  It's not just about following rules to perfection.  It's about developing an attitude that acknowledges this fallen human weakness in our bodies, that trusts God for help, and that works toward Christ-like-ness without ceasing. 

 

If you know God, and daily meditate on what Jesus has done for you and what that means (in all of its expansive gloriousness), then you won't be able to do anything but progress in holiness.  Build the expectation for Jesus' return, as you grow by the transforming power of the Spirit.