Sin and Hope

I have been in the certification process now for almost a month.  Probably the most important thing for me to keep in mind is to apply what I learn to myself first, as opposed to simply trying to absorb the information.  Just about everything I study, whether it is about anger, forgiveness, depression or whatever, has met me with the conviction of how far I fall short.  Being that Nouthetic counseling holds to the biblical position that ALL of our problems are a result of sin and living in a fallen world (again, there is not a denial of organic issues, but these, while not a result of personal sin and might necessitate medication, still exist because we live in a fallen world), I have found myself doing a lot of self-examination.  I have come to several conclusions.
The first is that I do not take my sin very seriously.  I think that I fall into the error of minimalizing sin so that grace may abound like Paul discusses in Romans.  I never would have thought that I do that, in fact any time I've read that passage I think how absurd the notion is!  But I do.  Not only do I generally minimize the wickedness of my sin, but I tend to judge the seriousness of sin according to its consequences upon my life or another's. The Holy Spirit used that to show me that while I don't take my sin seriously, the real issue is that I do not take the weightiness of God's glory and holiness very seriously either.  I do not cry out with David "against You and You only have I sinned!"  Instead I cry "God forgive me, but I don't think the consequences are going to be that bad, and I know your grace is infinite, so lets just keep the status quo."  Essentially, I tend to place myself at least on par with God. 
Praise God for His mercy!  It has led me into genuine repentance over several willful and persistent sins in my life.  How I desire to feel the weightiness of His glory and majesty, and to meditate on the fullness of being found in Christ.  God give me the grace to hear Paul urging the church to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, in light of God's great mercy (Rom 12).  I want to lose my life, so that I may find it (Matt 10:39).  What joy and power and true life we can find in this great seeming contradiction! Christ bids us "come and die," and there united with Him in His death, we can find the power of His resurrection at work within us.  I must deal with my sin swiftly, decisively, and daily.  My hope is knowing that "He who began the good work in you will be faithful to complete it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Php 1:8).  What a hope to sinners!