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The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel The Main Thing
Remember Jesus Christ? Although it seems almost too obvious, the center of our faith is surprisingly easy to forget. Dynamic pastor C.J. Mahaney shows how to overcome our tendency to move on from the gospel of grace. Finding joy in the gospel -- whose promises allow us to escape condemnation whenever it attacks -- helps us avoid the prevalent trap of legalism. With practical suggestions, Mahaney demonstrates the difference between knowing the gospel... and making it the main thing in daily decisions and daily living.
What Are You Centered On?
Sometimes the most important truths are the easiest to forget. It’s time to get back to the starting point of the Christian life—the cross of Christ. Jesus’ work on your behalf must be the central motivation for your life and faith—the main thing.
“Never move on,” says C.J. Mahaney, who shows you how to center every day around the cross of Calvary and how to escape the pitfalls of legalism, condemnation, and feelings-driven faith.
Tap into the gospel’s power and see how a cross centered focus can transform your life today!
What Are You Centered On?
Sometimes the most important truths are the easiest to forget. It’s time to get back to the starting point of the Christian life—the cross of Christ. Jesus’ work on your behalf must be the central motivation for your life and faith—the main thing.
“Never move on,” says C.J. Mahaney, who shows you how to center every day around the cross of Calvary and how to escape the pitfalls of legalism, condemnation, and feelings-driven faith.
Tap into the gospel’s power and see how a cross centered focus can transform your life today!
89 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2002
About the author
C.J. Mahaney
39 books196 followersC.J. Mahaney leads Sovereign Grace Ministries in its mission to establish and support local churches. He spent 27 years pastoring Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
He currently co-hosts the Together for the Gospel conference with Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan and Albert Mohler and serves on the Council of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, and on the boards of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation.
He currently co-hosts the Together for the Gospel conference with Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan and Albert Mohler and serves on the Council of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, and on the boards of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
September 23, 2020
Very good, practical advice. Need to read it again. Maybe multiple times a year. Never tire of reminding yourself of the gospel.
March 9, 2020
A short book that explains our blindness to inadvertent Law-keeping that nullifies the work of Christ on the cross.
Mahaney explains a helpful definition of legalism: Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God (chapter 3).
Mahaney observes the consequences of such thinking, "Legalism claims that the death of Jesus on the cross was either unnecessary or insufficient. It essentially says to God, ‘Your plan didn’t work. The cross wasn't enough and I need to add my good works to it to be saved.’"
This is a helpful and practical book that demonstrates the work of Christ as the source and cure for many non-Christians who believe in self-works righteousness. Unfortunately, that same mindset holds many Christians captive still.
Read it and rejoice in what Christ has done on your behalf.
Mahaney explains a helpful definition of legalism: Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God (chapter 3).
Mahaney observes the consequences of such thinking, "Legalism claims that the death of Jesus on the cross was either unnecessary or insufficient. It essentially says to God, ‘Your plan didn’t work. The cross wasn't enough and I need to add my good works to it to be saved.’"
This is a helpful and practical book that demonstrates the work of Christ as the source and cure for many non-Christians who believe in self-works righteousness. Unfortunately, that same mindset holds many Christians captive still.
Read it and rejoice in what Christ has done on your behalf.
February 25, 2011
This book belongs on that list that you read regularly... once a year or more so. It serves as a simple reminder of the affect of the Truth of what Christ has done for me - and drives home the fact that the Gospel is not just for the unsaved - quite the contrary actually.
November 14, 2025
Jesus, keep me near the cross.
October 2, 2024
A short book, but a powerful reminder to live in the light of the gospel daily. I found this a very helpful reminder of keeping the main thing the main thing.
April 25, 2024
A wonderful, concise reminder that we never graduate from the gospel!
July 15, 2008
This book marked a defining moment in my relationship with God. It clearly defined for me the difference between justification (Christ's redemptive act that allows me to stand holy before God...permanently) and sanctification (the Holy Spirit's continued act of making more more like Christ). Since I'm justified, I do not have to continually feel guilty for my sin. There is no condemnation for me because of my Savior!
Which brought me to another realization...that God is not sad when I sin. He cannot be sad because He has chosen to overlook my sin, since His son paid the price for it. He desires for me to be holy, but I do not have to carry around the guilt of not living up to His high expectations. My righteousness is like rags to Him. My acceptance of His Son is all that He requires of me.
I have never been more grateful for the cross. Even when I enter into sin, I now can turn away from it and instead of feeling guilty, I feel completely in awe of the One who chooses to make me holy, despite my obvious flaws.
Which brought me to another realization...that God is not sad when I sin. He cannot be sad because He has chosen to overlook my sin, since His son paid the price for it. He desires for me to be holy, but I do not have to carry around the guilt of not living up to His high expectations. My righteousness is like rags to Him. My acceptance of His Son is all that He requires of me.
I have never been more grateful for the cross. Even when I enter into sin, I now can turn away from it and instead of feeling guilty, I feel completely in awe of the One who chooses to make me holy, despite my obvious flaws.
September 26, 2020
This book is an abridgment of a (slightly) longer work. But despite it brevity, it packs a punch! There is nothing here that I haven't read elsewhere (more than once!), but the author's perspective and enthusiasm for the topic is refreshing and exciting. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am planning to read the longer book later this year or next year.
December 14, 2024
“Sometimes the most obvious truths are the ones we need to be reminded of the most.”
We need reminded often of the centrality of the cross. One of the things the author says that a cross-centered life helps us guard against is false views of God and our relationship with him. Keeping the gospel central will help us guard against the dangers of legalism, condemnation, and subjectivism. He also gives some practical advice on how to keep the cross central in your life. He also explains how the cross helps us see everything in its proper perspective—the Old Testament, the Second Coming, prayer, holiness, relationships, and suffering. This book is a very good reminder with a lot of great quotes.
We need reminded often of the centrality of the cross. One of the things the author says that a cross-centered life helps us guard against is false views of God and our relationship with him. Keeping the gospel central will help us guard against the dangers of legalism, condemnation, and subjectivism. He also gives some practical advice on how to keep the cross central in your life. He also explains how the cross helps us see everything in its proper perspective—the Old Testament, the Second Coming, prayer, holiness, relationships, and suffering. This book is a very good reminder with a lot of great quotes.
February 23, 2026
Easy lunch break read! Specifically speaks to the issues of legalism, condemnation, and subjectivism. Encourages daily cross-centered living. Reminds us of the weight of sin and the gift of grace…taking on Luther’s perspective, “living as of Christ died only yesterday.” Emphasis on never graduating from the gospel.
October 24, 2023
Main argument: keeping the cross of Christ central combats three dangers to our faith—legalism, condemnation, and subjectivism. This book helps cut through the fog and sustain weary saints with joy in the gospel.
May 18, 2023
Read this in high school. It’s good.
August 11, 2025
A beautiful reminder that, “every day of our Christian experience should be a day of relating to God on the basis of His grace.”
Read
August 13, 2025A nice, short refresher / apologetics introduction. Not the biggest fan of the two dramatic interpretations of Bible passages, but the rest of the book was quite good.
September 8, 2024
Short, but rich read on the cross and why it is central to the life of every Christian everyday.
April 11, 2026
Concise truth of living daily in the joy of our salvation from Christ
May 12, 2022
This was a delightfully short, well done and gave me a lot of food for thought.
June 10, 2016
In order to live a cross centered life, our days must be centered around the message of the cross. Christians never grow past the gospel - it is the reason for everything we do. The final chapter is a great reminder that we must continue to preach the gospel to ourselves daily. CJ lists five ways we can do this: We can memorize the gospel, pray the gospel, sing the gospel, review how the gospel has changed us, and study the gospel.
This is a book that deserves to be read and re-read, as we all need to be reminded of the importance of the centrality of the gospel - “Sometimes the most obvious truths are the ones we need to be reminded of the most” (pg. 15).
This is a book that deserves to be read and re-read, as we all need to be reminded of the importance of the centrality of the gospel - “Sometimes the most obvious truths are the ones we need to be reminded of the most” (pg. 15).
August 10, 2026
Still just as impactful upon rereading. A concise yet powerful reminder that we never graduate from the gospel. May it be sweet to our souls.
“Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than any diamond. It’s depths man will never exhaust.”
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain.
A second look he gave which said
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid
I died that thou mayest live.”
“Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than any diamond. It’s depths man will never exhaust.”
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain.
A second look he gave which said
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid
I died that thou mayest live.”
October 20, 2019
Excellent book ... really helps with your focus in day to day Christian living (sanctification) as we walk in the newness of life. A very quick read and full of great quotes and helps. Chas Morse
September 4, 2010
Great overview of the essential elements of the gospel.
Excellent counsel in the last chapter about "how" to keep preaching the gospel to yourself (& others!).
The only point I would add/change is to add an extra area that talks about recognizing the gospel at work in the lives of each other within the context of a gospel-based community (aka church, aka fellowship, etc)
Excellent counsel in the last chapter about "how" to keep preaching the gospel to yourself (& others!).
The only point I would add/change is to add an extra area that talks about recognizing the gospel at work in the lives of each other within the context of a gospel-based community (aka church, aka fellowship, etc)
November 5, 2016
Keeping the main thing the main thing is the main thing that must happen in the life of a believer. What is the main thing? The Gospel. The Cross. The penal substitutionary atonement accomplished at Calvary that we so easily forget. C. J. Mahaney writes a magnificently simple book with a profoundly important message: live a cross centered, gospel centered, Christ centered life!
July 18, 2016
Very helpful reminder. It has been a while since I have picked up a book that simply taught the importance of remembering the most fundamental truth in all the world. That truth is, "Jesus Christ has died for my sins." This should be on our mind continually. Everyday should be a day of exulting in what Christ has once and for all accomplished for us in his life, death, and resurrection.
July 19, 2019
I've read this book three times now and every time there is some new take away. What C J Mahaney has done in these few pages is nothing short of brilliant. This is a book that will challenge, convict and ultimately change you. Without doubt one of the best books on Gospel centrality.
March 13, 2021
Es hermoso
Es increíble un librontan pequeño y tan poderoso, que hermoso es cada palabra sobre la cruz de Cristo y como debemos poner siempre nuestra mirada en el sacrificio de Cristo
Es increíble un librontan pequeño y tan poderoso, que hermoso es cada palabra sobre la cruz de Cristo y como debemos poner siempre nuestra mirada en el sacrificio de Cristo
on-hold
January 14, 2009will *hopefully* read with my sister.
December 16, 2015
Lacking the full emphasis and exploration of all of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Too much focus on only one aspect is not healthy.
September 26, 2012
This short book has so profoundly influenced my life.
April 18, 2018
Great book to keep your Christian life in focus
June 5, 2024
Really an excellent, quick read to remind one of what is truly most important: Christ, and Him crucified so that I can live forgiven.
My very favorite quote: "Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself. We can either listen to ourselves and our constantly changing feelings about our circumstances, or we can talk to ourselves about the unchanging truth of who God is and what He’s accomplished for us at the cross. Are you going to build your life on what you feel or on what is real?"
Other quotes:
--"We make time for what we truly value. We build habits and routines around the things that really matter to us. This is an important principle to understand as we seek to build our lives around the gospel. Do you want a cross centered life? A cross centered life is made up of cross centered days."
--"effectiveness in your relationships are directly tied to your understanding of the cross. Because of sin, relational conflict is inevitable. You’ll sin against others. They’ll sin against you. You’ll need to forbear with others. You’ll need to forgive. Your relationships with others must be based on your relationship to God through the cross. Ephesians 4:32 states, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I’m assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God. The cross transforms my perspective. Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I’ve committed against God. When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it’s not difficult to forgive others. God’s been patient with me so I can be patient with others. God has forgiven me so I can forgive others. God’s grace is changing me so I can trust that he can also change others. There’s so much more that can be said. This is just a brief introduction to the transforming effect of the cross on every one of our relationships. But the point is simple yet powerful. If you’re single, live a cross centered life. If you’re married, build a cross centered marriage. If you have children, practice cross centered parenting. The “practical” stuff flows from the “central” stuff."
--"three main tendencies that can draw our hearts away: 1. Legalism, which means basing our relationship with God on our own performance. 2. Condemnation, which means being more focused on our sin than on God’s grace. 3. Subjectivism, which means basing our view of God on our changing feelings and emotions."
--"The woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears was someone who had repented of her sins. This isn’t her first encounter with Jesus. No doubt she had listened to Him teach, and had found in His words the hope for forgiveness and cleansing no one else was willing to grant her. When we meet her she has already believed in Jesus and turned away from her old life. This is not the account of her salvation; rather, this is a beautiful expression of Christian worship born of her love, adoration, and thankfulness toward her Savior. She recognizes her sin and unworthiness, and weeps deeply. But here’s what is so important for us to see. Her tears are not tears of condemnation. She weeps because her guilt is gone. She loves much because she’s been forgiven much. These are tears of joy, gratitude, and extravagant devotion."
My very favorite quote: "Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself. We can either listen to ourselves and our constantly changing feelings about our circumstances, or we can talk to ourselves about the unchanging truth of who God is and what He’s accomplished for us at the cross. Are you going to build your life on what you feel or on what is real?"
Other quotes:
--"We make time for what we truly value. We build habits and routines around the things that really matter to us. This is an important principle to understand as we seek to build our lives around the gospel. Do you want a cross centered life? A cross centered life is made up of cross centered days."
--"effectiveness in your relationships are directly tied to your understanding of the cross. Because of sin, relational conflict is inevitable. You’ll sin against others. They’ll sin against you. You’ll need to forbear with others. You’ll need to forgive. Your relationships with others must be based on your relationship to God through the cross. Ephesians 4:32 states, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” When I become bitter or unforgiving toward others, I’m assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God. The cross transforms my perspective. Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I’ve committed against God. When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it’s not difficult to forgive others. God’s been patient with me so I can be patient with others. God has forgiven me so I can forgive others. God’s grace is changing me so I can trust that he can also change others. There’s so much more that can be said. This is just a brief introduction to the transforming effect of the cross on every one of our relationships. But the point is simple yet powerful. If you’re single, live a cross centered life. If you’re married, build a cross centered marriage. If you have children, practice cross centered parenting. The “practical” stuff flows from the “central” stuff."
--"three main tendencies that can draw our hearts away: 1. Legalism, which means basing our relationship with God on our own performance. 2. Condemnation, which means being more focused on our sin than on God’s grace. 3. Subjectivism, which means basing our view of God on our changing feelings and emotions."
--"The woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears was someone who had repented of her sins. This isn’t her first encounter with Jesus. No doubt she had listened to Him teach, and had found in His words the hope for forgiveness and cleansing no one else was willing to grant her. When we meet her she has already believed in Jesus and turned away from her old life. This is not the account of her salvation; rather, this is a beautiful expression of Christian worship born of her love, adoration, and thankfulness toward her Savior. She recognizes her sin and unworthiness, and weeps deeply. But here’s what is so important for us to see. Her tears are not tears of condemnation. She weeps because her guilt is gone. She loves much because she’s been forgiven much. These are tears of joy, gratitude, and extravagant devotion."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews