The philosopher Socrates is famous for the saying, “Know thyself.” Beyond mere self-reflection, it means recognizing one’s ignorance and constantly seeking truth. But I can’t help wondering — how well did he truly know himself? Because a created being cannot truly know itself unless it meets its creator.
The more we know God, the clearer it becomes who we are. The Bible’s understanding of humanity is paradoxical: the greatest denial and the greatest affirmation coexist. It says that human beings are so corrupt and fallen that the Son of God had to come and die in our place. The world, and even the noblest of world religions, believe that with enough effort, people can become good. But God declares from the outset that such a thing is impossible. If we could achieve a satisfactory level of goodness on our own, there would be no reason for God to sacrifice His own Son. If we could save ourselves, and yet He still let His one and only Son die such a terrible death — that would make no sense. He did it because there was no other way.
This is why it’s only natural that we often feel disappointed in ourselves and deeply wounded by others. We are, after all, deeply flawed beings. Guilt comes from thinking, “I’m not the kind of person who would do such a thing,” and being tormented by it. Unforgiveness comes from thinking, “How could they do such a thing?” and being unable to understand, leading to resentment. But God tells us to acknowledge that we are weak, that we are sinners who cannot live righteously on our own. He calls us to confess, “God, yes, that’s who I am. I am someone who needs a Savior.” Only then can restoration and salvation happen. But human pride resists this.
At the same time, nothing else elevates humanity as highly as the Bible does. Though we are merely creatures made by God, like dogs or cattle, He has made us co-heirs of His kingdom, equal with His one and only eternal Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17). That is why He came as a human being and died in our place — otherwise we could not understand why God Himself would die.
It is possible to hold both truths at once: that apart from Jesus Christ I can do nothing, and that in Christ Jesus I can do all things. Over the years of my faith, I have often been distressed by my own weakness, shortcomings, and sin. I think much of that pain came from being unwilling to acknowledge and accept them. But now I pray, “Yes, Lord, that’s who I am. Have mercy on me.” And at the same time, I say boldly, “Lord, You have promised, so please work through me as I do this.” When I start with that faith, extraordinary things happen — experiences that feel almost like being God Himself is at work through me.
Having observed the recent Vacation Bible School for the children and the retreat for the youth, I experienced this again. I prayed not for an event that would simply be fun and end safely, but for a gathering where the living God would be encountered — and when I expected that, it felt completely different from before. We are not people who rely on ourselves; we are people who believe in God. And faith is expectation. So, to live more truly as ourselves, let us know God more deeply.
