I Am Your Deliverer

One rut that we fall into in the Christian life is this: Self as a point of reference. When I put my focus on my self—my effort, my performance, my obedience—I’m already done for. But listen to what St. Paul says in Romans 6:6-8:

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”

My old self was crucified. A real death took place. I didn’t see it or feel it, but it took place nonetheless. When the Holy Spirit revealed that my self was crucified, I could stop looking at my self as a point of reference for anything God says or does! That’s real freedom.

And just in case you think there is nothing practical about this, let me tell you: The moment I stopped looking at my self as a point of reference for holiness, righteousness, or obedience, guess what happened? The Spirit began to manifest His fruits in my life, without my even trying! As Pastor Mike likes to say, “You start to get holy on accident!”

Jesus Christ is our Life. He is the only One who has life; we cannot deliver ourselves. Only Christ can deliver us. When you see that, you stop striving to “be your own deliverer” or “get your act together.” You begin to rest in the truth that “It is accomplished,” (John 19:30).

Peter reminds us that God’s “ … divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue," (2 Peter 1:3). In other words, everything you need to live a holy Christian life has actually already been accomplished by Christ and granted to you!

Pastor Eddie Gonzalez enjoins us to wait patiently but expectantly on our LORD for deliverance, without doubting or wavering. Listen in!