The Cross-Referenced Life

Jan 14

Amidst a world trying to earn righteousness, letting guilt and shame become the narrative, and attempting to control our futures, Louie Giglio invites us to shift our eyes to Christ. We can let the pressure fall at the foot of the cross, the only thing able to dwarf our obsession with the world and the only thing with the power to bring us from death to life.

Key Takeaway

Religion has told you that you can do enough to earn salvation. The Bible tells us that there is nothing we can do that is enough to earn righteousness without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

This message begins with presuppositions. What is a presupposition? A framework by which you choose to see and live your life.

Key presuppositions that people have right now in the world we live in include:

I have rights.
I should get to decide.
I know me best.
I deserve more.
I deserve to be happy.

But the Gospel speaks to our presuppositions, and the Gospel we have proclaimed, a redemption story, informs our presuppositions.

Without Christ, we have a problem. Without Him, we are separated from a God that is Holy, Holy, Holy. Christ changes all presuppositions.

When you're spiritually dead in your sins, and you're trying to make the jump to holiness, religion tells you that you can make it if you try hard enough and you work hard enough. But you won't make it. Through studying Ephesians 2, we see that without God, we're an object of His wrath because of our sins.

But it's in His love, grace, and kindness that we can make that jump to holiness, even if we're spiritually dead.

What's the game plan? It isn't trying your best to get to a holy God, exercising religion. It's realizing you're dead until He gives you life. Our presuppositions shift because of the Gospel, understanding that God makes us alive.

"For Christ's love compels us because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

There is a new purpose. But with that new purpose, you have to have new power. And Paul gives us the secret to the new power: Christ. Christ died for us, and He now lives in us.

If you can jump to holiness by yourself, Christ died for nothing. If righteousness can be attained through the law, Christ died for nothing.

Consider the magnitude and the shadow of the cross.

The cross dwarfs...

Powerless religion and its demands and empty claims.
The choking grip of guilt and shame.
Anxiety about your future plans.
Me and mine.
Your love affair with Earth and Earth's love affair with you.

“

"Nothing you can do will ever be enough to get you to Holy, Holy, Holy. Jesus did enough to bring you from death to life and into a relationship with a Holy God. It is not a system; it is a savior. It is not about you trying harder; it is about you trusting in the finished work of the cross."

”

Louie Giglio

Discussion Questions

Which of the aforementioned presuppositions have you struggled with?
Have you been taught by religion that if you do enough, you will reach holiness?
How does your perspective shift knowing that there is nothing we could ever do that could earn us righteousness without Jesus Christ sacrificing Himself on the cross?
Without Christ, Ephesians 2:3 says that we are deserving of wrath. Do you find yourself believing otherwise and justifying your sins?
Without Christ, Ephesians 2:3 says that we are deserving of wrath. Do you find yourself believing otherwise and justifying your sins?
Does the sheer size of the cross help put into perspective the magnitude of the sacrifice of Jesus? How so?
Why do you think guilt and shame are so detrimental to our faith?
How can you sit in the tension of wanting to plan for the future without fearing it and trying to control it—understanding that God has ultimate control and will use your life for your good and His glory?
Galatians 6:14 reads, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." What does this verse mean to you?
How can you say no to this world and say yes to Jesus?

Scripture References

1.As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2.in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3.All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit. and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4.But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5.made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6.And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

28.Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29.A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30.When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.31.Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32.The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33.But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34.Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35.The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36.These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”19:36 Exodus 12:46; Num. 9:12; Psalm 34:20 37.and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”19:37 Zech. 12:10

14.For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

20.I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21.I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”2:21 Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 14.

13.Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14.May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which6:14 Or whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15.Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16.Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to6:16 Or rule and to the Israel of God.17.From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.18.The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

About the Contributor

Louie Giglio is the Visionary Architect and Director of the Passion Movement, comprised of Passion Conferences, Passion City Church, Passion Publishing and sixstepsrecords, and the founder of Passion Institute. View more from the Contributor.