Focus on the Finished Work of the Cross

My morning would not start out on a good note.  But as I entered into my office this Monday morning, I realized I had a decision to make.  Allow the enemy to steal any ounce of joy I had, or  remember, recall, and repeat.

And sitting before the Word today, I was brought to Isaiah 63:1 that, in part, says this, “It is I, who has the power to save.” 

I love the Passion Translation that says it this way, “I am mighty and ready to save!”

Oh yes.

My weary heart needed to hear that this morning.

And maybe you do too.

Too often we forget.
Too often we CHOOSE to forget.
And often it is… a choice.

My commentary would explain it this way, “We think much of the meek and gentle side of Christ’s character, but perhaps we don’t think enough of the strength of it.”

Oh and I would add, after reading the Passion translation.  We don’t think enough of the STRENGTH of it or the READINESS of it.

Isaiah, the prophet, had a good, clear vision.  In choosing to behold the Messiah, he was able to remain steadfastly focused on the returning triumph.

In other words, he chose to have a shift in vision which allowed him to have a transformation in mindset!

I would beg the question of myself as I put pen to paper this morning… and I would challenge my readers the same.  How often do we focus on the FINISHED work of the cross?

Because more often than any of us care to admit, we live with a poverty-stricken mindset.  One that insists on seeing issues as if they were not yet handled.  We choose to view our circumstances in light of their relative inconvenience as though everything were somehow spiraling out of control.

Ahh, but Jesus!

Jesus conquered sin, death, the enemy, illness, fear, and the grave!

And Isaiah gives us such a beautiful example of beholding the Messiah.
Because when we choose to behold Him…we can’t see cancer, sickness, pain, discomfort, irritability, inconvenience and heartbreak.  When we choose to behold Him - we only see redemptive solutions.

It’s what living in and with victory looks like!

We see Isaiah here traveling not as a weary soldier fighting an uphill battle into conflict, but as a victorious sojourner advancing in the greatness of His strength, prepared to overcome every opposing power and fiery dart!

And please know that these “opposing powers” don’t always come in the form of monumental despairs.  They, too, can come in the form of spilled coffee on new carpet, aggravating drivers, disturbances in schedules, traffic delays, lack of good sleep, and slow cashiers.

Isaiah was successful at seeing things in light of the FINISHED CROSS, not the FRAGILE CHRIST, and so must we!

Colossians 3:1 says that we are “raised with Christ”, and that His resurrection is yours and mine too! 

Romans 6:4 says, “now also may we live new lives.”  New ones.  The old must be gone.  And it’s made more evident by our fruit.

Ephesians 2:6 says that you are I were, upon our salvation were, “raised up from the dead along with Christ and (are now) seated with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”

Some of us need to be raised from the dead!  And we need to live as though we are co-seated with Christ!  Because we are!

And living in His realm means living fixated and focused on the finished work of the cross.

Defeat has no place in the Christ-centered life.

Let’s re-shift our minds to refocus on the finished work of Jesus!