Jesus, in the Greatest Sermon Ever Given, talked about these things:
Anger
Lust
Lying
Revenge
Pride
Greed
Worry
Judging
Falseness
Our great defense mechanism as humans is to recognize these traits in other people but not in ourselves.
If we start reading Matthew 5-7 and get to teachings on pride or lust or anger we let other people’s face cross our mind’s eye instead of our own. We think that because I have heard this passage before or have heard a few sermons where Greed is discussed, I have already figured these things out. Someone else must have a problem with these things and not me. What a mistake this thinking is and what a tool of Satan to have us dismiss these crucial teachings as not pertaining to me.
Just this past week I have struggled with Worry about many things. I have lusted. I have delighted in someone who I am not fond of getting some comeuppance. I have judged constantly. I have stretched the truth. I have let Pride dictate some of my actions. I have grown Angry and lashed out at people around me. I have wanted something to happen strictly for financial purposes only.
I am in need of a daily heart transformation that only Christ can bring and discusses in the Sermon on the Mount and so are you. Forget the obligation of obedience, imagine what your life could be if you made progress in just one of the areas above?
If our first mistake in transformation is not seeing the need for it, then our second mistake is thinking that change will only come from our will power and determination. This will only take you so far. Many people are finding this truth out as their New Year’s Resolutions are losing steam.
No, the only determination you need is to make progress and to daily let Christ work in your life. To be open to Christ’s work and whatever form that takes. To take him in and let him be the Lord of your life. Change will come, transformation will come.
I have told you that I have a long way to go but I am better than I was 10 years ago. But self-improvement is not the goal. Being a light to the World and fulfilling God’s plan on earth is why I need to reflect the nature of Jesus in all that I do or become.
Grow Up Blog 
Very well said. I can’t think of anything the church needs more than this. Thank you for communicating it so clearly. Unwillingness to surrender and avoidance of pain sums up the chosen path for most “practicing” Christians. When we become vulnerable, share our weaknesses, and tell the stories of how Jesus met us there, people have something they can make sense of. Thank you for doing just that.
Thanks Kris. This seems so essential but for whatever reason church’s like to make transformation a nice add on rather part of the plan.