When I say we need to look through the cross at ourselves and others, what exactly do I mean?
I have said this to several people and I wonder if it is a hard statement to understand because it could be pretty ambiguous.
Lets ask this satement in a question.
What did Christ see when he took to the cross?
Or Why did Christ choose the will of the Father?
Or Why did he say "father forgive them for they know not what they do"?
The main thing I mean when I say "Look at ourselves through the cross" is to see ourselves as Christ sees us. See our utter depravity. Feel it clearly. Know it truly. And recognize it rightly. My husband has often likened what Christ did as if we were going to be come a worm to save the worms. Seems rather pathetic, doesn't it? Ridiculous even! But why else would the KING OF THE UNIVERSE come to our world to become a victim of our gross natures?!
We talk alot about sin and depravity, but do we really live like it is real? Do we really understand the realities of the cross?
Depravity means a complete deadness. I love the way RC Sproul explains our state prior to Christ's work. We aren't just having trouble keeping out heads up in the lake (barely making it and almost drowing--which is the way we like seeing ourselves--right?)...we are dead at the bottom of the lake and we have been there for a long time. No chance of ressusitation. Dead in your tresspasses and sin, in which you once walked.
Now we don't like to think of ourselves like this...I know I don't! I want to be a sucess. I want to do things alone, because I want to pat my own back!
....This is really just Pride.....Pride....Pride.....
At the root of the cross is human helplessness. Human weakness. Humility of the Human race. Utter inability to do anything for ourselves.
Christ saw this....very clearly....He saw us ....just as we are!
When we begin to see ourselves as Christ saw us not only will we be more humble, but the more needy we become the more needful He will be for us!! We will no longer be as encumbered by the sin of pride, which essentially says to God "I can do this without you!"
My greatest and most frequent fight is to see myself and others through the cross. To see the human need of the Savior. To not fight against that need because I see how needy I really am. I hope you will also join me in looking at yourself and others the way Christ saw you, seeing the truth and not looking away from that truth.
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