Paul is the best writer ever to have lived. I have been reading through Romans, and I swear, every word is incredible! I have to read and re-read and re-read some more to even begin to understand all the amazing things the Spirit says through him.

"All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous."
~Romans 2:12-13

I think it's safe to say that the goal of the Christian life can be summed up in this verse. At the end of the day, our desire should be that God will declare us "righteous," in accordance with His Word. I pray that my life is a reflection of Christ Himself. The funny thing about it all is that often we think of being declared righteous as a selfish thing. WE want to be called "righteous" and be affirmed for our actions. WE want to be called a "good and faithful servant." WE want honor and glory for ourselves. This is where we go wrong in our thinking.

The whole point of the Christian life is to be declared righteous so that God is glorified and exalted high in our lives here on earth. Our attitudes should not be ones of selfish ambition or vain conceit--we are called to be image-bearers of Jesus Christ Himself.

Maybe it's time that we re-examine our motives for being a Christian--is it so that we can attain something at the end? Or so that through us Christ's Name is lifted up? It's something worth thinking about--Christ does not put up with attitudes of selfishness. He is a jealous God, and He demands out utmost worship.

Let's worship God out of humility and reverence. Let's be real.
I have no doubt that when we do this, He'll meet us where we are.