06/09/2021
Today, many Christians and even some secular sources proclaim that the number one enemy of humanity is the "ego" or "the self"—if you fail to control "it" properly, "it" will act up against your relationships, your family, your boss, your company, your position and then ultimately betray you.
The Gospel, however, is not about *improving* the I, the self, the ego.
It is about this:
“Not I, but Christ.”
When we are baptized into Christ’s death, He single-handedly brings about a permanent change. He not only forgives our sins and sets us free from shame and condemnation, He also sets us free from our corrupt nature and the world of sin that enslaved us.
It is essential that we never reduce or lose sight of the magnitude of what Christ our Redeemer accomplished on the cross. His sacrifice was not solely to forgive our sins and secure our access into heaven... He also makes us brand new. If we were to believe that Jesus covers over our rottenness and allows the poison of the serpent to remain inside of us until we finally make it to heaven, we would be denying the fullness and grandeur of His death and resurrection.....
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet *NOT I, BUT CHRIST* liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
-- Gal. 2:20 KJV (emphasis added)