The Gospel for Everyday
Comments(1)
Wow, life moves by fast and I have trouble keeping up. I feel like Christ teaches me something new everyday, which can be overwhelming at times, but also very encouraging. The last two weeks have been so full of events, tasks, and responsibilities, but also fulfilling in that I have learned so much.
Last week, we had our Truth & Life Conference, at which I heard some amazing sermons. The theme was on the glory of the Cross and really challenged me to think on how the cross of Jesus is central to the gospel and thus central to our lives.
I have been meditating and marinating much on “Looking Only to Christ.” I have been reminded much of the illustration of our Christian lives being a race. Hebrews 12:1-2 speaks of this race and tells us that we must consider the example those who have gone ahead of us in faith, lay aside everything which stands in our way whether it be sin or not, and to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The author of Hebrews throughout the whole book is concerned with how we run the race, not just that we are running it. With that in mind, what must characterize our run is a moment by moment, unflinching, rentless gazing upon our Savior. My ultimate concern in this race of life is the One who has enabled me to run and who has gone before me. He is the forerunner (Hebrews 6:20) and He is the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Christ has already finished the race perfectly and now He stands at the finish line calling all of His elect to run with endurance. “Don’t give up!” He shouts. “Run and look to me for I have given myself to redeem and I will take you to the end of this race.” I must listen to voice of my Forerunner and run with everything that I have.
This principle is not something that you hear in the pew and then walk out the door into life and neglect it. It has direct and immediate application to us. The race that I run is not only during church, chapel, or quiet times. I run a race that is 24/7 and every moment of that must be spent looking only to Christ. I must fight to keep my eyes set on Jesus and to run without holding back. Why? Because I believe Jesus is worth it.
I like how you ended that. It is amazing to think how often (especially youth, or in our youth) we hear things like this, so simple, so drastic, so unquestionably important in church, and walk out of the service going, “Hmm. Good service today. I hope they have my favorite donut downstairs.”
If Christ is to be the one gazed at at all times on this straight and narrow path (that few find), what does it say about our hearts when we constantly get frustrated when things don’t go our way? Or when things happen out of our control? Are our eyes not fixed? Are they not astonished at the work of the cross and can therefore only look to the One who has made us clean by it?
Good post, brother. You have caused me to think and to pray. I am praying for you.