Abiding at the Cross To Save Me Now
Abiding at the Cross is uncomfortable and life giving. Yes, life is better if we stay before the crucifix in our heart continually. At the cross, I cannot be proud and I cannot be low in self esteem. There, I am perfectly loved by a God who died for me, his enemy. In one fell swoop Jesus arrests my pride and my worthlessness. So can we stay closer to Cross?
In our natural self, we are either proud to moon or have basement low self esteem or some combination of the two. Imagine how most people are half proud and half insecure in themselves. We all know people who use outward pride as a cover for low self esteem. Even we do ourselves at times. See also The Cross The Main Thing.
Abiding at the Cross Cures Us
I find the cross is the antidote for our sinful hearts. God unmasks me at the cross and leaves me unashamed. Loved and my sin completely condemned. God forgives and accepts me just as I am while crucifying my pride.
Lord help me say close to the cross.
I grew up in a family where what you did made you who you are. We were human doers. I still often am. Conversely, at the cross, I am a human being without any works at all. Just being. The perfect spot.
Sure, this is a place where I cry in sorrow and in delight sometimes at the same time. For a kid who grew up in a non emotional family, it is a very emotional and alive place.
Even more so, I find in this place that I can step out of pride-low self esteem. I can reach toward humility. My definition or humility is to believe what God said and says about me. At the cross He speaks so clearly. I am loved, supremely loved, worthy. Here, I am shown a horrible sinner, a man shrouded in blackness who the living God died for.
Hallelujah!