Look To Jesus

September often feels like a time of starting over—new routines, new teachers, new opportunities to learn. It’s also a good time for the church to go back to the basics.

One of the simplest lessons we can learn is this: LOOK.

It’s possible to become very familiar with Christianity without actually seeing Christ clearly. We can know the songs, the Bible stories, the doctrines, and all the things Christians are supposed to do—and still miss the heart of the gospel.

As Martyn Lloyd-Jones famously said, “Superficial views of the work of Christ produce superficial Christian lives.”

So perhaps what we need isn’t another technique for becoming better Christians. Perhaps we simply need to look again at Jesus.

The gospel tells us that Jesus didn’t merely die for us. Scripture says that we died, were buried, and were raised with Him. Our old life was crucified with Christ, and we have been given new life in Him.

Paul writes, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

That changes everything.

The Christian life isn’t primarily about trying harder to become a better version of ourselves. It’s about learning to depend upon Christ as our Life.

When we’re angry: LOOK.

“Jesus, I need Your patience.”

When we’re tempted: LOOK.

“Jesus, I trust You.”

When we’re afraid: LOOK.

“Jesus, I don’t have the strength for this, but You do.”

When marriage, parenting, work, school, ministry, or suffering overwhelms us: LOOK.

Not simply at the problem. Not endlessly at ourselves.

Look to Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 calls us to be “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

This is what faith looks like: knowing what Christ has done, trusting His Word, depending upon His Spirit, and resting in Him.

The cry of the Christian life isn’t, “I can do this.”

It is:

“Jesus, I can’t—but You can. I trust You.”

If you have never placed your trust in Christ, look to Him today. You cannot save yourself through morality, religion, or accomplishment. Jesus lived the perfect life you could never live, died for your sin, rose again, and offers forgiveness and new life by grace through faith.

And if you’ve followed Jesus for years, perhaps the invitation is the same:

LOOK.

You don’t have to manufacture the Christian life. Christ Himself is your Life.

So as we begin this new season, let’s go back to the basics:

Back to the cross.

Back to the empty tomb.

Back to grace.

Back to faith.

Back to dependence.

Back to Christ.

And when you don’t know what to do—

LOOK.

When you don’t have the strength—

LOOK.

When you’re tempted to trust yourself—

LOOK.

LOOK TO JESUS.