By A few weeks ago I spoke to a group and used the simple line: be you and be loved.
I knew it was controversial. And the discussion afterward proved it.
The pushback I got sounded a lot like something you’ve probably heard in church.
Maybe you’ve even prayed it yourself: “Lord, less of me and more of You.”
It sounds humble and holy.
But that prayer actually sells the gospel short.
Here’s what the gospel really accomplished: Jesus didn’t die and resurrect so that you could shrink into nothing. He did it so that you could become something—something brand new.
When you gave your life to Christ, you weren’t just forgiven. You were remade. You received a new heart, identity and nature. The old self died, and a new self rose.
That means the famous Jeremiah verse—“the heart is deceitful above all things”— isn’t your truth anymore.
No, your heart has been transformed. You are righteous, holy, clean and complete.
I love what my friends Andrew Farley and John Lynch say in their book, Gospel Zero:
God doesn’t need you to disappear so Jesus can show up. The world sees Jesus through you. You’re not an obstacle in God’s way. You’re His instrument.
Now, friend, instead of praying yourself into invisibility, try something different. Thank God that He didn’t just forgive you, but He rebuilt you. And then walk out the door as exactly who you are.
All of Him. And all of you. Together.
(I know this brings up questions like “What did Jesus mean when He instructed to deny yourself?” Or “Why did Paul mention dying daily?” These are great questions all answered in Gospel Zero by Andrew Farley and John Lynch. Get it today for your donation of any amount.)