By David Burnette
The apostle Paul didn’t set out to make a New Year’s
resolution in 1 Corinthians 2:2, but his words to the believers in Corinth
wouldn’t be a bad place for all of us to start in 2014:
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus
Christ and him crucified.”
If that resolution doesn’t sound odd to you, it’s because
you’re familiar with it. To the world, a fixation on a crucified man doesn’t
make any sense. And to call that man your Lord and your God, well, that’s utter
foolishness. Only the gospel gives us
eyes to see reality in this way.
The Corinthian church was being tempted to adopt worldly
standards of success. Instead of admitting that they were weak and that their
only ground of boasting was in the death of their Messiah, they were busy
trying to one-up each other. They were enamored by the same things that impress
the world—lofty speech and wisdom (1 Cor 2:1). Paul rebuked them by telling
them of his single-eyed determination—his resolution, if you will—to keep the
crucified Christ at the center of his life and proclamation.
Paul’s resolution should be ours as well, and not only
for 2014. The entire Christian life is to be shaped by the reality that God has
sent His Son to die on behalf of sinners who are weak, unwise, unworthy, and
altogether unimpressive. The cross is our only hope; it shapes everything about
us.
Consider how drastically different our outlook might be
this year if, like Paul, we decided to see all of life in light of the One who
was crucified in our place. I want to suggest 10 things we would likely stop
doing:
1) We would stop
judging people, circumstances, and events based on outward appearances. Things
aren't always as they appear. The God who brought about salvation through the
death of His Son turns the world’s expectations upside down. (1 Cor 1:18-20)
2) We would stop
trying to win God's approval through our obedience. Christ's death dealt
decisively with our sins, and God now views us as righteous in Him. You cannot
add to a perfect sacrifice. (Gal 2:21)
3) We would stop
trusting in our own resources to bring about spiritual transformation. It took
the crucifixion of Christ to save us, and it will take the power of the gospel
to make us more like Jesus. The cross and resurrection are essential to the
daily pursuit of holiness. (Rom 6:10-11)
4) We would stop
worrying about being clever in our presentation of the gospel. Power belongs to
God and His message, not the messenger. There is no smooth way to talk about a
bloody cross. (1 Cor 1:17)
5) We would stop
considering some people to be beyond God's reach. There is no one whose sin can
outmatch the grace of God in the gospel. Christ's death is more than sufficient
for the vilest offender. (1 Tim 1:16)
6) We would stop
being surprised that our witness isn’t received warmly. At the heart of the
gospel is the emphatic rejection of King Jesus. Why would his servants expect
to be treated differently? (Jn 15:20)
7) We would stop
expecting ease and comfort in this life to be the norm. Suffering, hardship,
and opposition only make sense when you follow in the footsteps of the Man of
Sorrows. (Lk 9:57-62)
8) We would stop
worrying so much about the details our lives. God was willing to give His own
Son for us. Why would he be unwilling to take care of everything else? (Rom
8:32)
9) We would stop
thinking highly of ourselves and looking down on others. If the death of Christ
was necessary for our rescue, what do we have to boast about? The cross levels
the playing field, for all of us are debtors to God's infinite mercy.
10) We would stop
fearing death. The crucifixion put death to death, so those in Christ now have
the sure hope of the resurrection and eternal life. (Heb 2:14-15)
By God’s grace, may we set our sights on Christ and him
crucified in the coming year.
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