CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A SELF-IMPROVEMENT COURSE
Christianity is not a self-improvement course. We are not called to come and do, but to come and die. For the new life is not self-improvement, but self-denial. We consider our old self “crucified with Christ” and our new self risen with Him to new life. We die to sin and we also die to self-effort, no longer trying to please God by following some set of religious rules and regulations that we are unable to keep. Dying to self, we live by Christ, “trusting” in Him to live His life in and through us.
This new life that we live by faith is based on our new union with Christ Jesus. For whatever He has accomplished, is now accounted unto us by grace through faith. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, God has made us alive with Christ, raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavens (See Eph. 2:5-6). Therefore, let us lay hold of this great truth, setting our hearts and minds on things above. ” For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God” (Col. 3:3).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are overwhelmed by Your grace and mercy, that You would make us one with Christ Jesus, so that we are coheirs with Him. Strengthen us by Your Spirit today, so that we might walk by faith and not by sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.