It is commonly understood and agreed upon that our usefulness to God will remain hindered by any degree of self-righteousness. It is said, and it is true, that until we see the depth of our corruption, we have not fully experienced the full light of revelation.
Those who have had the glory of God illuminate the depth of their depravity cry out like both Isaiah and Paul - "O wretched man that I am." Yet, this revelation in itself is not the goal God has for us. Even if we become fully aware of how thoroughly corrupt we are - we can still miss God's mark entirely.
Paul tells us what the true mark of the high calling is and the reason God wants us to fully recognize our own sinful depravity. Honesty and true confession are NOT the goal - only steps toward the goal. So what is the goal if mere recognition and confession of our depravity still falls short of the mark?
Here is what Paul stated as the goal - "But entirely STRIP OFF and PUT AWAY the old man with its practices." God does not want a single germ of the old man still clinging to us. His goal for us is to become completely renewed, having stripped away and discarded the old man and fully put on the new man "created to be like God in righteousness and holiness of the truth."
Don't fall into the error that many make and stop short of the mark of the high calling of God. Admission of our corruption is not the goal - ANNIHILATION and ELIMINATION of it is! Get rid of every germ from the first Adam and be completely renewed into the image of the LAST Adam.
