Recently I was challenged by a friend to write out who God says I am. I took up this challenge and have been writing a list. Although it is vital that we know who we are, our identity, and know that only Christ defines it, we must not focus on it to the point where we take our eyes of Jesus.
There is a trend in the world and also in the church where Christianity is focused on us. It’s all about us, how we can be accepted, loved and how to make us feel better. But that isn’t what the Gospel is about. The “it’s all about me gospel” is a false gospel. Paul says if you think you must do something to either earn or keep your salvation, you are believing in a false gospel and Christ has become of none effect to you. (Gal. 5:1-4) This “gospel” is displayed through the modern preachers and Christian music. The lyrics and sermons are focused on us, not on Christ. It’s about our salvation, our walk, our trials, not about God anymore.
After realizing this trend, I wondered what our focus should be on. I read through 2 Cor. and found multiple passages that said it’s about Christ, and Him in us, not about us at all.
—2 Cor. 1:9-10 says that we cannot trust ourselves, but must trust in Christ, for only He can deliver.
—I also love how 2 Cor. 3:5-6 puts it “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
—We have the gospel within us, but it’s not of us, it’s the power of God. (2 Cor. 4:7)
—What we do is for God and for others, not ourselves. (2 Cor. 5:13)
Our strength comes from Him and He is made perfect in our weakness. Paul wanted to glory in his infirmities and persecution so that God’s power would be shown (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
— Gal. 2:20 says “ 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.” It’s not about us, it’s Christ in us, it’s all about Christ!
We must change our focus from being on ourselves to being on Christ. I challenge you to write out a list of who Christ is. Keep your eyes on Him, be satisfied in Him, let His power work through you and let God use your weakness by His strength.
The Gospel is all about Christ, if we lose sight of Jesus, we lose sight of the Gospel and will follow after a false gospel. (Gal. 1:6-12)
Turn from the trend. Stop focusing on yourself and making yourself feel better. Focus on Christ, who He is and what He has done for you.
I leave you with this:
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
