As I sit writing this post that I know will be published on the Thursday of Holy Week, I am reminded of Paul’s words in Romans.
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Romans 7:15
The Struggle
Being a Christian is a wonderful gift that is available to all. However, living in relationship with Christ does not guarantee a struggle-free life. Not at all. The truth is that while we are living out our earthly days, we will live in a breach. We will know the Lord’s will, and we will know sin. We will be filled with desire to live wholly for Christ. Yet, we will succumb to disobedience because of indwelling sin.
In other words, we will, as Paul says, not even be able to understand ourselves. For over and over we will find that “we do not do what [we] want.”
That is where I sit today. Caught in the breach, navigating the struggle.
The Focus
Lately, I’ve allowed myself to become distracted. Not necessarily with bad things but distracted, nonetheless. A writing project deadline, a speaking engagement, a marriage conference, ladies’ ministry. And then there are the everyday things of life – cleaning, laundry, keeping appointments, supporting family. All good things. But things I sometimes (often) allow to become my focus.
In the hustle and bustle of life, I neglect my most important relationship. The things of God get crowded out.
Right here. Right now. It is time to refocus.
Maundy Thursday. Just days before Easter. What better time to adjust our focus?
The Cross
Sometimes when I pull away to readjust my focus I do it by concentrating on God’s attributes or His names or His mighty deeds recorded in the Bible. For the next few days, I plan to turn my gaze by meditating on The Cross of Christ.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
The truth of The Cross is absolutely and utterly amazing. Thinking about it can’t help but rightly turn our focus.
Read the Scripture above again. Slowly. Thoughtfully.
First importance… Christ’s death for us… Love poured out… God’s plan… Christ risen… Death defeated… Sins forgiven… Evil overcome… Sinners reconciled….
As we look forward to Easter, won’t you join me in readjusting your focus by spending these next few days meditating on The Cross of Christ?
Below are various scriptures, quotes, and songs to help you focus on The Cross of Christ.
SCRIPTURES THAT FOCUS ON THE CROSS OF CHRIST
Isaiah 53:3-6
Isaiah 53:10
Romans 3:23-26
Romans 5:6-11
Romans 8:31-34
1 Corinthians 2:2
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Galatians 2:21
1 Timothy 2:5-6
QUOTES THAT FOCUS ON THE CROSS OF CHRIST
“The God on whom we rely knows what suffering is all about – not merely in the way that God knows everything, but by experience.” D.A. Carson
“Nothing in my hand I bring. Simply to your cross I cling.” Augustus Toplady
“All the love and the acceptance which perfect obedience could have obtained of God, belong to you – because Christ was perfectly obedient on your behalf.” Charles Spurgeon
“Tragically, we buy the lie that the gospel is only for the unconverted.” D.A. Carson
“If we want proof of God’s love for us, then we must look first at the Cross where God offered up His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Calvary is the one objective, absolute, irrefutable proof of God’s love for us.” Jerry Bridges
“We never move on from the cross, only into a more profound understanding of the cross.” David Prior
SONGS THAT FOCUS ON THE CROSS OF CHRIST
The Wondrous Cross – Christy Nockels
Jesus Messiah – Chris Tomlin
The Power of the Cross – Keith & Kristyn Getty
Living Hope – Phil Wickham
Man of Sorrows – Hillsong
In Christ Alone – Travis Cottrell
Lead Me to The Cross – Hillsong
My Worth is Not in What I Own – Graham Kendrick
Lamb of Glory – Steve Green
Forgiven – Crowder
Of course, none of these lists are exhaustive. Begin here. Choose just a few of each. Add to the list. However, you choose to go about it, use the Scriptures, quotes, and songs to help you focus on The Cross of Christ. Read them, meditate on them, journal them, pray them. Your chosen method doesn’t matter. What matters is the message.
Be intentional. Carve out some time to center your life on The Cross of Christ. Let its reality turn your focus Godward. Think on The Cross, reflect upon it, share it, rejoice in it.
