Isn't it our destiny to become Christ like? Why do Christian's tend to want to judge others and condemn them for their past? Have we forgotten that we are to have the same heart and mind of Christ of forgiveness, compassion and encouragement toward others that Jesus did?
For those that are not followers of Jesus Christ; let me tell you that being a Christian never means we are perfect. It simply means we have made a choice to believe that Jesus is 'Lord' of out lives. We desire to become like him, but we know the only way for that to happen is to allow Him into our hearts and renew our minds. Repentance literally means to 'change our mind' (vision, thoughts, beliefs) so that we think, and ultimately act like Christ does.
It begins in the heart, and mind, but it doesn't all happen at once. It is a process of transformation that is ongoing, as we surrender different parts of ourselves to Him and ask him into that part to transform us. Those of us that have experienced the transforming power of Christ know that it is bit by bit, little by little, as we become aware of areas in our heart and mind that are not Christ like, that we can ask Him to give us His vision and mind in that area.
If we don't think we have any issues, then we shut the door to His transforming power. The more we humble ourselves, and admit our weaknesses, and ask Jesus into that area, is when transformation and change truly come. Never does being a Christian mean we don't make mistakes, or get into pride, greed or fall into temptation. We may fall, but we get back up, ask for forgiveness, forgive ourselves and move forward with Christ. In the beginning it is like a baby learning to walk.
Some of us take many years to learn to walk with Christ. We have one foot in the world's way of thinking and one foot in Heaven. This trips us up repeatedly. We fall, we get hurt, but we get back up and eventually learn to walk without falling. Some fall and don't get back up because the the shame and guilt they feel is too overwhelming and so they reject God. But shame and guilt are not from God. They are thoughts that originate from lies we have believed about the character of God. God isn't judging our every action. The judgment comes from us. Think about Jesus, who is God's heart, he knew peoples thoughts and history of sin, yet instead of judging and condemning them, he showed them love, compassion and forgiveness time after time.
This didn't mean Jesus condoned sin, it meant that he had compassion for humans that struggled with sin. If sin leads to death, and Jesus came to bring life, and he wants us to live life to the fullest, then he is not going to judge us every time we make a mistake and sin because of the fallen nature that we battle with in our flesh. It all takes time to 're-program' our mind, body, soul and spirit to all submit to the Holy Spirit of Christ. We were created to be lead by the Holy Spirit, but it is so foreign to us, that it feels uncomfortable at first. We constantly battle our flesh that has its own desires, our soul that has been hurt, and our mind that is still being renewed to the truth of who we are and who God is.
Our identity needs to be reprogrammed to identify with Christ. To do that we need to understand what his heart is toward us. He loves us so much that we can barely comprehend the depth of his love. The closest example is a parents love for their child. That is why we call him 'Father' or "Abba" which is more a kin to 'Daddy'. He desires everything good for us, but He knows more than we know, and so we need to be able to humble ourselves, be teachable and allow His transforming power to change us.
Jesus said, "Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
(Luke 6:31-38)