On Monday I began a three part series on three ways that we who lead God’s people can “guard our hearts” (Proverbs 4:23).
“Guarding our hearts” in ministry helps insure we will finish our life and ministry well and not “disqualify” ourselves.
In Part 1 I wrote about one way of “guarding our hearts” – that of living for God’s glory. Today I look at a second way
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2. Living a “Cross-Centered Life”
The message of the cross is not only for unbelievers. One of the best ways of “guarding our hearts” is by living a cross-centered life. The cross is the true foundation for a life of discipleship.
Following Jesus (the meaning of discipleship), means walking the “way of the cross” i.e. “daily taking up your cross” (as Jesus put it), and following “in his steps” (Luke 9:23; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 2:21).
When we overemphasize the benefits and blessings that God offers those who are “children of the King” we will “find it strange” when suffering enters our lives. Theologians call this an “over realized eschatology.” Peter warned the believers he was writing in his first epistle of this very thing (1 Peter 4:12).
An awareness that life with Christ, lived in the power of his resurrection, includes participation in the “fellowship of his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10) greatly benefits spiritual leaders, especially when things don’t go as they had hoped in ministry.
The cross is the central point of reference for believers because of our continual need for God’s grace. Even believers need the ongoing grace of God. We sin. Daily we find ourselves in need of the blood of Jesus his Son to continually cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:7). That is what makes ongoing fellowship with God and his Son, and with other believers, possible. It is “at the cross” that we find ongoing cleansing from sin.
A cross-centered life both encourages us and humbles us. It frees us from the need to always be right. It liberates us from the need to cover our sin. It helps us be open and honest with other believers. It also frees us from those wearying and futile efforts to try to gain favor God by more and more effort and commitment. Living that way puts us under a burden we cannot carry and robs us of joy in life and ministry. Jesus, in his work on the cross, has satisfied the righteous demands of the Father. In him we are accepted by God.
There is a tendency today, on the part of some Bible teachers, to emphasize the Kingdom of God. This is right and good, if it at the same time we highlight the centrality of the cross, for believers and unbelievers alike. In the Bible they go together. Some teachers separate the two and pit them against each other. Don’t fall into that trap. We are called to boast in the cross of Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:14). The cross will the object of our praise and worship even in eternity (Revelation 5:9)!
C.J. Mahaney’s advice is for those who desire to “guard their hearts,
“The first priority of a spiritual leader is to care for his own soul before God, to grow in love for our Savior and to grow in thankfulness for his sacrifice on the cross for our sin.”
