NO.8/ ON ANTICHRIST #1 I AND YET, NOT I
“Beyond the common difficulties that come with “choice,” Christians wrestle with their “old man’s” nature (“YET NOT I”) and the new one given to us by Christ (“I LIVE”). ”
In Galatians, Paul offered a brilliant insight into the dynamic of life found in Christ alone.
"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." (Gal. 2:20)
Although this Scripture would seem to be self-explanatory on its own, note the personal pronoun "I." Paul used it TWICE. Once to identify the old man we were saved FROM, and the other, to represent our new identity in Christ.
Why is this so important to observe?
Because at the root of who and what antichrist is, lies this same personal pronoun "I," a false sense of "self" who not only wants to live and reign apart from God, it wants to do so from that very space bought and paid for by Jesus with His own life.
We're talking IDENTITY here! We are also talking about CONFLICT. Within us all (regardless of one's religious persuasion), there is a clash between what we know to be right and what we know is wrong; which will we choose?
If you're a Christian, the struggle is HEIGHTENED. Beyond the common difficulties that come with "choice," Christians wrestle with their "old man's" nature ("YET NOT I") and the new one given to us by Christ ("I LIVE"). This is Christianity 101.
Nonetheless, there is a truth about our "old man's" nature that MUST be acknowledged AND understood if we're to properly understand antichrist: it is rooted in EVIL. Yes, you read that right! When Adam and Eve fell, they brought upon themselves a nature Paul said was rooted in the devil himself!
"Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO REFUSE TO OBEY GOD. ALL OF US USED TO LIVE THAT WAY, FOLLOWING THE PASSIONATE DESIRES AND INCLINATIONS OF OUR SINFUL NATURE." (Eph. 2:1-3 NLT)
I'm hoping you noticed that Paul included EVERYONE in this above passage. Simple stuff if you ask me. What I've found, however, is that often times, it's in these simplicities that we find confusion. It is certainly present within this subject matter; that's why I want to take it slow and keep it simple.
Next post, we'll explore the fall of Adam and Eve and begin making associations about the nature of antichrist that will lay the foundation of what I REALLY WANT TO SHARE in the coming posts. Just continue to keep in mind that antichrist is every bit as political as it is religious. What it is not is DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN. If we are able to get past these subjective points of view and stay focused on the subject at hand, we will do well!
