The gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news for mankind, is a stumbling block to men. The thing that should set men and women free offends them because they, in their pride, can not participate in their salvation. The truth is that our souls are wrecked beyond redemption. God does not revive the old man and rebuild him. The old man is put to death - literally crucified.
Crucifixion is a devastating and demoralizing thing.
God gives us a new spirit to replace the old one that is dying as we live on. Christ gives us His own life, imputing to us His perfection and likeness. When we stand before the Father, it is His Son that He sees instead of us. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. We are proud.