GOD'S SINGULAR PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE
As you follow Jesus, God works in your life daily with one central purpose: to conform you to the image of His Son — not to make you happy, wealthy, great, or comfortable in this world.
God’s goal is to bring your old life to an end and replace it with the life of Christ. As Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Since no human can meet this divine standard, God transfers the perfection of Christ to those who are in Him.
BECOMING A NEW CREATURE
God achieves this by crucifying your old self and integrating you into the life of Christ, turning you into a brand-new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). From that point, when God looks at you, He sees Christ in you. This is the kind of life that pleases God — now and forever.
This is why Jesus warned, “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6).
THE GREATEST ENEMY OF YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH: SELF
The single greatest threat to this divine transformation is SELF — the fallen nature inherited from Adam, and the part of man that Satan uses as his strongest weapon.
SELF craves attention, comfort, recognition, and control. It is the remote control Satan uses to guide and manipulate lives, even religious ones.
This is why Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself…” (Luke 9:23). Because SELF and CHRIST cannot coexist in the same heart.
SELF: THE ROOT OF SPIRITUAL FAILURE
Most people don’t truly want to deny self. Why? Because denying self means losing your worldly identity — becoming a nonentity in the eyes of the world.
That’s what happened with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-23. He loved Jesus, and Jesus loved him. But he could not part with SELF, and so he walked away sorrowfully. Not even Jesus' love could override his allegiance to SELF.
IN THE LAST DAYS, SELF WILL RULE
The Bible warns:
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self…” (2 Timothy 3:1-2).
This prophecy shows how deeply Satan will entrench SELF in the hearts of men, especially in the end-time. SELF will instinctively dominate thoughts, desires, and decisions — even in the church.
THE CHURCH AND THE AGE OF SELF
Many churches today operate as platforms that glorify SELF. The biggest and richest churches are often those that promise success, wealth, and influence — not brokenness, sanctification, or the Cross.
They rarely preach the message of The Cross because it requires denying self — and that’s “bad for business.” In contrast, the early apostles boldly declared the message of crucifixion with Christ (Galatians 6:14, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:18, Acts 14:22).
WHERE IS THE CROSS TODAY?
This silence on The Cross has led to the lukewarmness Jesus warned about in Revelation 3:17 — where churches claim to be rich and prosperous, but are actually “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Today, many churches would celebrate the Laodicean testimony without realizing that Jesus is standing outside the door, knocking (Revelation 3:20).
THE GREAT FALLING AWAY
As prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, a great falling away from Christ is happening. Jesus also said in Luke 18:8, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
Why not? Because the ocean of SELF will sweep away many believers who once started well.
THE FAITHFUL FEW
In this perilous time, only a few believers will survive the onslaught of SELF. These few will be those who choose to walk away from popular Christianity and seek a direct, intimate, and sacrificial relationship with Christ.
They will hear the gentle knock of Jesus on the door of their hearts (Revelation 3:20) and open it, even though The Cross awaits them on the other side.
May you and I be counted among these faithful few who embrace the sufferings of Christ for the joy set before us.
Thanks for reading. Remain sober, remain watchful. Jesus is coming soon. God bless you.
GOD'S SINGULAR PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE
As you follow Jesus, God works in your life daily with one central purpose: to conform you to the image of His Son — not to make you happy, wealthy, great, or comfortable in this world.
God’s goal is to bring your old life to an end and replace it with the life of Christ. As Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Since no human can meet this divine standard, God transfers the perfection of Christ to those who are in Him.
BECOMING A NEW CREATURE
God achieves this by crucifying your old self and integrating you into the life of Christ, turning you into a brand-new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). From that point, when God looks at you, He sees Christ in you. This is the kind of life that pleases God — now and forever.
This is why Jesus warned, “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6).
THE GREATEST ENEMY OF YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH: SELF
The single greatest threat to this divine transformation is SELF — the fallen nature inherited from Adam, and the part of man that Satan uses as his strongest weapon.
SELF craves attention, comfort, recognition, and control. It is the remote control Satan uses to guide and manipulate lives, even religious ones.
This is why Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself…” (Luke 9:23). Because SELF and CHRIST cannot coexist in the same heart.
SELF: THE ROOT OF SPIRITUAL FAILURE
Most people don’t truly want to deny self. Why? Because denying self means losing your worldly identity — becoming a nonentity in the eyes of the world.
That’s what happened with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-23. He loved Jesus, and Jesus loved him. But he could not part with SELF, and so he walked away sorrowfully. Not even Jesus' love could override his allegiance to SELF.
IN THE LAST DAYS, SELF WILL RULE
The Bible warns:
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self…” (2 Timothy 3:1-2).
This prophecy shows how deeply Satan will entrench SELF in the hearts of men, especially in the end-time. SELF will instinctively dominate thoughts, desires, and decisions — even in the church.
THE CHURCH AND THE AGE OF SELF
Many churches today operate as platforms that glorify SELF. The biggest and richest churches are often those that promise success, wealth, and influence — not brokenness, sanctification, or the Cross.
They rarely preach the message of The Cross because it requires denying self — and that’s “bad for business.” In contrast, the early apostles boldly declared the message of crucifixion with Christ (Galatians 6:14, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:18, Acts 14:22).
WHERE IS THE CROSS TODAY?
This silence on The Cross has led to the lukewarmness Jesus warned about in Revelation 3:17 — where churches claim to be rich and prosperous, but are actually “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Today, many churches would celebrate the Laodicean testimony without realizing that Jesus is standing outside the door, knocking (Revelation 3:20).
THE GREAT FALLING AWAY
As prophesied in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, a great falling away from Christ is happening. Jesus also said in Luke 18:8, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
Why not? Because the ocean of SELF will sweep away many believers who once started well.
THE FAITHFUL FEW
In this perilous time, only a few believers will survive the onslaught of SELF. These few will be those who choose to walk away from popular Christianity and seek a direct, intimate, and sacrificial relationship with Christ.
They will hear the gentle knock of Jesus on the door of their hearts (Revelation 3:20) and open it, even though The Cross awaits them on the other side.
May you and I be counted among these faithful few who embrace the sufferings of Christ for the joy set before us.
Thanks for reading. Remain sober, remain watchful. Jesus is coming soon. God bless you.