So, I am pleased with myself right now!

Not because of what I'm doing -- well, sometimes I think they are cool -- but because God is pleased with me. Christ's sacrifice ensures this and if it's enough for God, then it's enough for me (Romans 5:1-2; 1 John 5:13; Romans 8:1,31-34)! My actions however, are also pleasing to God, done in faith. I believe God loves my actions too (when they are done in the spirit) but they never affect what He thinks about me (Galatians 1 & 2). I couldn't please God before, but now, having His faith, I am pleasing to Him (Romans 8:8-9; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11:6)!

So, no matter what, I am pleased with anyone God is pleased with, starting from myself, and I am pleased with them every time God is (which is everytime) because I am a son of God, with God's own nature.

The world doesn't know God's children because the world doesn't know Him; I love God's children because I love Him (1 John 3:1; then 1 John 5:1), and I am God's child!!! I LOVE HIM (because He first loved me (1 John 4:19)), therefore I love me (5:1)!

But my actions too:

They should please God, because I have His nature. I have been created in Christ Jesus, not just for fun, but unto good works, planned for me to do sinnnce (Ephesians 2:10)!!! I have been called out of darkness into His marvellous light, not for nothing, but to show forth the praises of the One who did this (1 Peter 2:9).

So from now on, I am not to live for myself, but for the One in whom I have been made alive. He took my death, that I may live for Him (Romans 14:6-8; 2 Corinthians 5:15)!

And the consciousness of Him, of His sacrifice, is important: I am in Him, I am a partaker of His body and blood and, as He says, I do it all "in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:23-32). Looking unto Jesus makes it possible for me to run the race aright, for I see all that He did and I can keep running with patience. I will never suffer as He did anyway, and even if so: there's a greater joy before me (Hebrews 12:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 5:9; Revelation 2:10).

Ultimately, I am conscious of Him and of His body -- the church -- of His leading and of His will, that my actions may be a sweet smelling sacrifice unto Him (1 Peter 2:5), this is the only right -- and sensible -- thing to do anyway, considering what He has done: Romans 12:1.

Citizen Me

Hebrews 12:22-29

... 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

This is not supposed to be scary in any way, the point is this: I am now in a new kingdom, and I have a new identity and citizenship. I do not operate as I did before I was saved and so, I should not work for this world but for the next, which is my true world. Why? Well, my works will be tested; they'll pass through fire and some things will be burned up: those considered unprofitable, but those of eternal value will remain! See 1 Corinthians 3; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Galatians 6:7-10; 1 Timothy 4:6-10; 2 Peter 3:10-13 for more details.

So, why do things that do not matter eternally, when I am now able to do things of eternal importance?

why would I do things of importance in a world to which I do not belong, when I can "invest", (lay up treasures) in heaven, of which I am a citizen (Philippians 3:20-21)?

The way forward?

I'll renew my mind by the word (Romans 12:2). I'll let the mind which was in Christ Jesus be in me (Philippians 2:1-18). This is what I need to do so I can express the new man which I now am in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24).

And how do I do this? I simply keep my mind on Christ; I keep beholding Him, His image, which is mine too (Ephesians 4:24)! I look into the perfect law of liberty continually and thereby begin to do what is written in it (James 1:25). As I come into knowledge of all that is in us who are in Christ, my participation in my faith becomes effectual (Philemon 1:6) and I am assured that as I keep looking at this image of God, His spirit will transform me into that very image.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

This image is beautiful, and as I keep seeing it, knowing that it is my true image: I still am, and always will be, pleased with myself!