Pastor's Theory About Why People Don't Fully Experience God and Where 'Real Life Is Hidden

Megachurch pastor Kyle Idleman of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, believes that people must "come to the end of themselves" on a daily basis if they truly want to "experience abundant life with Jesus."

Or, as a press release promoting his new book says: he believes everyone simply needs to "get over themselves."

Idleman, who attracts 24,000 people to his church on a weekly basis, told The Church Boys podcast that his new book, titled, "The End of Me: Where Real Life in the Upside-down Ways of Jesus Begins," helps Christians discern what it means to navigate that relationship.

"The Bible talks about that our real life is hidden in Christ, and specifically — in Colossians 3 — Paul talks about that, when we die to ourselves, that's when we find that life," Idleman said, highlighting that Jesus himself says the same in Luke 9.

The preacher said that far too many people today are making themselves the center of their world instead of leading lives based on Christ.

"We often times are getting in our own way when it comes to living the life that God has called us to live," he said.

Listen to him discuss his theology as well as "The End of Me" below:

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Forming a relationship with God, Idleman said, means embracing intimacy with the Almighty and not simply following a series of rules and regulations; he said that there's an incorrect tendency to sometimes define a relationship with Jesus as merely following those rules.

"Like any relationship, you can define it with some words, but there's ... an experiential side to it," he said, imploring others to follow Christ "as a way of life" rather than "a set of ... guidelines" to be followed.

Idleman also encouraged believers to allow God's power to show through their weaknesses.

"When we get to the end of ourselves and finally realize we aren’t strong enough, smart enough, or talented enough, then ironically we are in the best position to be used by God in significant ways," he writes in the book.

Find out more about "The End of Me" here.