Wednesday 10th of March 2010 | Posted by Dave Taylor
Review: Living The Cross Centered Life

The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing.... The main thing is to keep the main thing, the main thing. This is so true in life. It's vital that we keep the main thing the main thing, and yet in a Christian world with so many centers the obvious question that can so often come to us is... 'What is the main thing?'

Well, Scripture clearly centers the Christian life around the cross. It was in the cross of Christ alone that Paul rejoiced and boasted. When pressed for order of importance, Paul made clear the cross (which comes packaged together with the resurrection) was of "first importance." His religious trophy case was emptied out "because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" and he was now found "not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith." But the cross - being the center of Paul's life - was not just a  personal preference. The Apostle reminds Timothy (and all pastors by application) to "guard" the gospel, and warns that flirting with a slanted gospel is to flirt with damning lies. Paul's hope for the spiritual transformation of sinners was centered in the gospel, as were his affections, personal testimony, public preaching, priorities, assurances and warnings concerning the church's greatest dangers (see Gal. 1:6-9, 6:14; Phil. 3:2-11; Col. 1:23; 1 Cor. 2:1-5, 15:3; 2 Tim. 1:8-14).

It may sound simple that the cross is the center of the Christian life, but Paul drives this point further by reminding the church that she is always in danger of "shifting from the hope of the gospel" (Col. 1:23). We become easily distracted by secondary pursuits.

It is with this backdrop in mind, that I am personally so very grateful for C.J. Mahaney's book, 'Living The Cross Centered Life'.
The purpose of this single volume can be summarized with these words:

"If there's anything in life we should be passionate about, it's the gospel. And I don't mean passionate only about sharing it with others; I mean passionate in thinking about the gospel, reflecting upon it, rejoicing in it, allowing it to color the way we look at the world and all of life" (15).

This book is in my top ten all time favourite books, and back when I first read it for the first time, it had a serious impact on my life. All I can say is that if you are passionate about 'keeping the main thing the main thing' then buy this book, read it, and apply it... you'll love it!



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