The Cross

Recent days have revealed that I have often allowed so many other things to eclipse the centrality of the cross of Christ in my heart and life. Good things. Things that are often found to be virtuous and pure in Scripture. Things that bring me joy. Things that can be an encouragement to others. And yet...my own soul has often drifted further and further from Christ. When I think upon the cross and what was accomplished there, it doesn't always hit me as it should. I have become busy with life and ministry and good deeds. In seeking to better understand how I have done this and how I can pursue a restored fellowship with my Savior, I have been reading C.J. Mahaney's little book, The Cross Centered Life. In it, he says, "The cross was the centerpiece of Paul's theology. It wasn't merely one of Paul's messages; it was the message. He taught about other things as well, but whatever he taught was always derived from, and related to, the foundational reality that Jesus Christ died so that sinners would be reconciled to God and forgiven by God." He goes on in the first chapter to give a little test to determine whether we are cross centered:

"The symptoms that arise from not being cross centered are easy to spot. Do any of these describe you?
- You often lack joy.
- You're not consistently growing in spiritual maturity.
- Your love for God lacks passion.
- You're always looking for some new technique, some 'new truth' or new experience that will pull all the pieces of your faith together.

If you can relate to any of these symptoms, let me encourage you to keep reading. As you learn to live a cross centered life, you'll learn:
- How to break free from joy-robbing, legalistic thinking and living.
- How to leave behind the crippling effects of guilt and condemnation.
- How to stop basing your faith on your emotions and circumstances.
- How to grow in gratefulness, joy and holiness."

Does this not accurately describe each of us, believers, as we get caught up in the hum-drum superficial demands of this society? We become enslaved to our schedule, busy with "ministry", anxious about earthly matters - all of which deny the power of the cross. I am looking forward to the rest of this little book. I am thankful for even these very hard providences that drive me to self-examination and prayerfully will result in restored joy in the precious Redeemer who has brought my life out of the pit and set my feet upon solid ground! May it be for His glory!