Chinese characters help demonstrate how God saved us from our "I" problem.

When sharing the gospel with a Chinese person, I often like to start with a simple question, "What's the middle letter in sin?"

Even poor English learners get it quickly. "I," he says.

Sin means being self-centered. Sin is something that Chinese people look down on. Although he won't say it, I can see that my friend is not convinced. He is thinking, "Sinners are murderers, rapists, embezzlers. I am not. I don't have that problem."

So I ask, "What's the middle letter in pride?"

It doesn't take long to get the answer: I.

My friend raises his eyebrows. "Interesting," he says.

Pride is comparing yourself with others and considering yourself superior. That was the root of the first sin long ago. It was because of the pride of Satan that God condemned this fallen angel to hell. Pride and unbelief caused Adam and Eve to think more about themselves than God.

But there's more. I have a final spelling lesson: "What's the middle letter in guilt?"

Again, it's an I. In God's eyes, I am a guilty sinner filled with pride.

Sin. Pride. Guilt. We humans have an "I" problem.

THE PROBLEM

Even the Chinese language shows this lesson. The Chinese character for I (top left) is made up of two parts: a hand on the left, holding a weapon on the right.

Scholars may differ on the etymology of this word, but the fact remains that there's an interesting concept in this ancient character. It's not a harmonious picture. My weapon defines who I am. It tells me that I need to protect myself. I may even use my weapon against yours.

You can try to change this I, but that old "hand-holding-a-weapon-I" does not take well to being changed, especially in spiritual matters. Paul puts his finger on it when he says by nature we are enemies of God. We'll use our weapon—whether it be pride, intellect, or neglect—to fight against being controlled by God.

We have an "I" problem. It's beyond us to fix it. It will lead straight to hell.

THE SOLUTION

God has the solution for this problem, and it is also in the Chinese language.

The top part of this second Chinese character (top right) shows a lamb. A lamb covers me! And get this: the character means "righteous."

God sent his Son, Jesus, to become one of us. God counted his perfect, selfless life to be mine. Jesus went to the cross to bear my guilt for me. He rose to life to assure me that my sins are forgiven. Thank God he handled my "I" problem!