We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6: 4
What Is Wrong With Me?
Have you ever asked God, “What is wrong with me?” If you would just tell me what is wrong, I could fix it and move on. But I find He doesn’t answer that question the way I would. If I asked myself, I could list plenty of things that I consider wrong and that need serious attention. He isn’t going to answer that question, because the truth is, there isn’t anything “wrong” with me or you.
There isn’t anything about us so grievous that He has to put on supernatural sunglasses just to look at us. How can this be?
I have news for you: you are dead!
Not the news you were expecting. But it is the reality of who you are. Now, I’m not saying we’re lifeless and without hope; actually, because we are dead, we have access to both death and life. We are dead to sin and our old man, and alive to God. The paradox of the gospel is that we can be fully dead and fully alive at the same time.
Which Self Are You Hanging Out With?
So the real question becomes, “Why do I want to hang out with my dead self instead of my new self?” We spend so much time beating ourselves up over our shortcomings because we believe God is focused on them, that somehow He can’t get past them, that they’re blinding Him. How far is that from the truth? The reason He won’t answer “What is wrong with me?” is because He isn’t interested in hanging out with your dead self either. He has this thing about life, and life abundant. (John 10:10)
Romans tells us we were buried with Christ so that when He was raised, we were raised with Him, resurrected, empowered to express an entirely new life (Rom. 6:4). Living isn’t being able to do whatever I want; life is being free to live in a way that continuously brings our Father pleasure.
All Is Right With Me
The question no longer plagues that kind of life: “What is wrong with me?” Instead: because all is right with me, how can I live and experience everything He offers? I’m no longer defined by the old me. I’m a person of possibility because of the new me.
Jesus did not come simply to fix your brokenness; He came to give you a brand new life. This new life doesn’t come with hang-ups and weak spots, though I’m not saying we always live up to its fullness. The old man loves to hang around and demand attention.
Life’s journey isn’t about living broken and weak; it’s about learning to walk in the fullness of our new identity. That doesn’t mean we’ll never experience weakness, but in those moments, we can rest in His completeness. He quietly carries us through, not because something is wrong with us, but because He loves being with us in relationship.
It Was Never About Right and Wrong
And that’s the whole point: this was never about right and wrong. It’s about love. All of God’s heart and plan for humanity can be summed up in one word: Love. It’s what frees us from fear, anxiety, worry, performance, and striving. His love began this, His love sustains it, and His love has finished it. Nothing in the universe has the power to diminish it.
New Man Glasses
So the question becomes: What does my new man look like, and how do I learn to live in that identity? Ask Him for a pair of “new man” glasses; maybe you’ll start seeing what He sees when He looks at you. Jesus has a way of making us all look fabulous, no Photoshop required, because He doesn’t just change the outside; He transforms the inside. Ask your Father to take you on a journey of Love. And let Him ask you a few questions along the way too.