Carolinsblog

Only Jesus, only through Christ. Paul describes this principle when he writes that he decided not to be concerned about anything among Christians in Corinth except Jesus Christ, and him crucified… (1.Corinthians 2,2) or when he writes that for him, living is Christ and dying is gain (Philippians 1,21).

Christ is my life.

Why do i keep emphasizing Christ-centered teaching – interpretation, where Jesus alone is the focus…? because it is important and has such far-reaching implications for me that I never get tired of emphasizing Christ as the central focus.

It’s about Jesus, not about us.

It’s about His finished work at the cross, not how hard we try.

It’s about God’s sovereignty, not our efforts.

Solus Christus describes the focus of the Reformation church… on whom alone? – Jesus. He is to be exalted, He is to be preached (Philippians 1:18)…

Christ is enough, Jesus alone is enough.

Especially when it’s hard right now, I do know one thing: He holds me fast  and He alone is all that matters.

I was once talking to someone about this church and that church and the differences between the free church and the german-national church, the differences within the national church and simply a whole lot of what our faith is all about.

Then I told them why I go to a free church and also what I would criticize about the german-national church and so on. At some point, I said that I would describe the doctrine of my church as simply being taught in a “Christ-centered” way.

I was then asked if we weren’t limiting ourselves with that…

Only then did I realize that focusing on Jesus alone can also be seen as a limitation.

Sometimes people shy away from emphasizing “Jesus alone” as a statement because it is assumed that other aspects of faith would then be left out, considered as less important or one would then possibly even contradict traditions… yet there is much more to this focus than we expect. It was not without reason that it was important to the reformers to emphasize “Jesus alone”, because at the core it is always about Him, about His person alone. We have been given faith in Him (Philippians 1:29), through this also the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:14) and our lives are centered on Him.

I can write, talk and think about any biblical teaching, really any topic. But in the main point, the actual topic should always be about Christ, not about ourselves.

That’s what I mean by Christ-centered teaching. As long as I focus on myself, my behaviors, failures, defeats, victories and morals, I will not feel lasting peace, absolute joy… because I will never get to the point of human moral perfection. But Jesus did.

Jesus lived this life for us because we can’t do it. Knowing this and being convinced of His ultimate victory and my eternal home with Him, I can truly find deep peace.

Contentment, love, loving relationship, mercy, God’s fatherly care for us, joy, are then all things whose meaning I learn to understand.

I am led into freedom, freedom from law, oppression, moral slavery. I no longer strive for perfect morality, exemplary living, living as patiently, sacrificially and humbly as possible… I strive for more holiness, Christ-likeness, standing firm and courageous in my identity and recognizing more of Him, for that is eternal life (John 17:3).

I trust that the Holy Spirit will change me, lead me, and bring me to deep knowledge… as I focus solely, exclusively, only on Jesus.

It is incredibly glorious to realize more of the truth of the gospel. I am just happy, content in the knowledge that I am being held by Jesus.

My thoughts on this, though not quite as linear as I would like – from the heart,

Carolin