Exposed by the Cross

As part of my devotional time, I’ve been reading through this wonderful little book by Milton Vance entitled A Gospel Primer for Christians. The author has taken seriously Jerry Bridges’ challenge to “preach the gospel to yourself everyday” and produced this short book to help believers do just that.

In the section “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” I came across the following quote that both powerfully humbled me and greatly encouraged me. I hope it has the same edifying outcome for you.

The Cross also exposes me before the eyes of other people, informing them of the depths of my depravity. If I wanted others to think highly of me, I would conceal the fact that a shameful slaughter of the perfect Son of God was required that I might be saved. But when I stand at the foot of the Cross and am seen by others under the light of the Cross, I am left uncomfortably exposed before their eyes. Indeed, the most humiliating gossip that could ever be whispered about me is blared from Golgotha’s hill; and my self-righteous reputation is left in ruins in the wake of its revelations. With the worst facts about me thus exposed to the view of others, I find myself feeling that I truly have nothing left to hide.

Thankfully, the more exposed I see that I am by the Cross, the more I find myself opening up to others about ongoing issues of sin in my life. (Why would anyone be shocked to hear of my struggles with past and present sin when the Cross already told them I am a desperately sinful person?) And the more open I am in confessing my sins to fellow-Christian, the more I enjoy the healing of the Lord in response to their grace-filled counsel and prayers. Experiencing richer levels of Christ’s love in companionship with such saints, I give thanks for the gospel’s role in forcing my hand toward self-disclosure and the freedom that follows.