Ten Looks at Christ

“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:1-4. “Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34

The day that we accepted Christ as our Savior was the day that God saw our goodness over our sin. It was the day that we exchanged filthy rags for beautiful garments of righteousness because Christ exchanged torn and bloodstained clothes our salvation. This spiritual transaction gives us both authority and invitation to look to God through Christ with our sufferings. It promises that not only is God on the throne hearing our pleas, but Christ is sitting right beside Him interceding and pleading our case. The Bible says that Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). 

I read something powerful in my Bible this morning as a side note. Rev. Robert Murray M’Cheyne once wrote: ‘For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.’ This is so important when looking at our challenges because we will hear and believe the lies of Satan over the promises of God. When we look at ourselves and our circumstances, we invite Satan to give us his opinion on our lives. Setting our minds on things above means believing what Christ says, not what Satan says. While Jesus Christ is busy interceding for us above, Satan is busy accusing us below. Satan says you will never get a job...never have a relationship...never be healed. When things are unraveling Satan tells us we are responsible…we are ill-equipped…we are LOSING. But when we look to Christ we are reminded that we have already WON! He promises us that this season is not our 'forever'...it is our 'for now'. When life seems to be out of control we must shift our eyes from the earthly messes to the triumphant cross. When we do this, there is an unexplainable shift in our soul and spirit. It is a shift that is out of reach for the devil, a shift he despises. It is that beautiful blessing that comes from looking at Christ ten times more than looking at our circumstances.

All of us have messy, chaotic, and deceitful hearts at times so we must allow the Holy Spirit to take control of our messy emotions. ‘When my heart is a mess, I get to choose how I think. I can choose to let the peace of God control my heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). And I can choose to be thankful, even when life breaks my heart and doesn’t turn out like I wish it would.’ She Reads Truth, p. 2016.

"And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7