"repentance, Jesus told us, is not just what you put off. it's about what you put on."

i have been reading this book, "the last eyewitness: the final week". it's basically telling the story of Jesus' final week, as if John were narrating it. it has been hugely impacting in my life recently.

& i just read this line today in the book. it kind of caught me off guard. i've heard this, sort of, said before. but i guess it never sunk in. 

what have i put off? sure, "my old self" but have i really? have i really completely turned around & put on Christ? Christ's love, His goodness, His forgiveness. when i look at Christ & examine myself through His example, i COMPLETELY fall short. praise God that i am not called to be Christ, but Christ-like.

in the next couple of weeks, me & a friend are going over the characteristics of love. every week, we will be looking at one of the characteristics & trying to filter it into our life. bringing patience, hope, trust & lovingkindness into our actions. only through God is this going to be slightly possible. i pray that God continues to show us His love in every day situations. that He brings examples of mercy in our midst. real & true mercy. this is my prayer.