Yet Not I

Real Dudes, 
The phrase in scripture “yet not I” is something I’ve been thinking about lately. One of the things I try to avoid when being involved in the Lord’s work is to not make any of this about me. For some, myself included, this can become quite the challenge. The tendency at times is to do a task in order to please a boss, a coach, a spouse, etc. and lose sight of who should be receiving all the glory. So much effort can be spent on protecting our identity and reputation…wanting to be known for something. Prior to salvation it is expected that someone would live thinking life was all about him/herself. According to a source, we spend 95% of our day thinking about ourselves. This is something the Apostle Paul knew was a downfall for many believers. He knew thinking about self was a trained behavior and would be a characteristic and habit that wouldn’t be easily broken. 
Therefore, he set an example for us. In the following passages Paul uses the first person. He says “I laboured,” “I am crucified,” “I live,” and most importantly, “yet not I.” Paul knew that he was actively and continuously involved in the Lord’s work, and at the same time he was completely focused on making it all about Him…Paul’s mind was on Him. How is this possible? He tells us in 1 Corinthians that he is what he is and he does what he does all because of the grace of God in his life. Apart from Him Paul is nothing. Prior to salvation, everything – his motives and ambitions – were about himself…this is no longer the case once he gave his life to the Lord. Everything now is all about his Savior. He no longer lives to hear “well done” from his peers, but to hear that same phrase only from the Lord. 
What about you? Are you continuing to live in the flesh…making life all about you? Or can you safely and humbly say “yet not I, but Christ” in all your thoughts and efforts?
I am praying that this reminder helps you in your homes, workplaces, churches, locker rooms, communities, etc. May it be your resolve today…yet not I…no longer I…living in the flesh is the old me. The new me is all about making Him known and famous…all for His glory!!!
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

KJV
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

• Ouk ego de

Galatians 2:20
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, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

• De ouketi ego
  • Ouketi… "not" (BDAG, p. 736) “the extension of time up to a point but not beyond, no more, no longer, no further lit., of time.

Article from gotquestions.org: 
What is the significance of Paul saying ‘Yet not I’ in 1 Corinthians 15:10?
In 1 Corinthians 15:10, the apostle Paul writes, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” The word but signals a contrast between verse 9 and verse 10. In verse 9, Paul regards himself as “the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle” (ESV). The reason that he saw himself in this way is that he formerly persecuted the church of God (cf. Acts 9:3–9; 22:6–11; 26:12–18).

Paul is continually aware of his inherent nothingness (Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15). Apart from Christ, he is nothing but a sinner who deserves the wrath of God. But in God’s perfect timing, Paul was transformed and made an apostle to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 15:8). The only reason that Paul went from persecutor to preacher of the message that he once tried to destroy (Galatians 1:23) is that he received God’s mercy and grace (1 Corinthians 15:10).

In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul acknowledges that his new identity, mission, and accomplishments are entirely due to the grace of God. Simply put, grace is God’s unmerited favor toward undeserving sinners. It is not deserved, nor can it be earned. If it could be earned, then it would not be grace (Romans 11:6). This is why Paul refers to grace as a gift: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV). We are saved by the grace of God to work for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17).

There is a delicate balance between God’s grace and human effort. While it is true that our identities and efforts are ultimately due to God’s grace, we are still expected to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). In other words, God’s grace does not lead to passivity; rather, we should be active participants in God’s work. Paul was aware of this, so he put God’s grace to use by working harder than the other apostles (1 Corinthians 15:10). However, he immediately qualifies this statement with the words yet not I. These three words remove any grounds for boasting about our abilities or achievements (cf. Galatians 2:20). In everything that we do, God must get the glory, not we ourselves. We would do well to follow Paul’s example of humble, grateful service (1 Corinthians 11:1).

The statement yet not I emphasizes the importance of grace, humility, and diligent effort. Grace is an active and continual work in the lives of God’s people. We cannot boast about who we are or what we have done because we owe everything to God. Indeed, we are nothing and can do nothing without God’s grace. It is God’s grace that transforms sinners into saints. It is God’s grace that gives us the strength and ability to do worthwhile things for God’s kingdom. And it is God’s grace that makes our lives and ministries fruitful. Like Paul, we should always say, “Yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” https://www.gotquestions.org/yet-not-I.html


Song: Back to Life by Zahriya Zachary
https://www.google.com/search?q=bethel+music+no+longer+i+but+christ&oq=bethel+music+no+longer+i+but+christ&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQRRg80gEIOTA0OGoxajSoAgCwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:8605369b,vid:uQOa5g9nPaw,st:0

Song: Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me by CityAlight
https://www.google.com/search?q=song+no+longer+i+who+live+but+christ+in+me&oq=song+no+longer+i+who+live&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggBEC4Y1AIYgAQyCggCEC4Y1AIYgAQyBggDEEUYOTIICAQQABgWGB4yDQgFEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgGEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgHEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgIEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggJEAAYgAQYogTSAQg1NDg0ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:10531d79,vid:hwc2d1Xt8gM,st:0