Be Transformed by Christ's Example
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." --1 Peter 5:5
A battle rages within every one of us every day. It's the clash between our sense of stubborn self-sufficiency and God's call to recognize that we're really nothing without Him. It's pride versus humility. And it's a fight we can't win without looking repeatedly to Christ and the cross. C. J. Mahaney raises a battle cry to daily, diligently, and deliberately weaken our greatest enemy (pride) and cultivate our greatest friend (humility). His thorough examination clarifies misconceptions, revealing the truth about why God detests pride and turns His active attention to the humble. Because pride is never passive, defeating it demands an intentional attack. The blessing that follows is God's abundant favor.
"This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit."
--Isaiah 66:2, ESV
God clearly states that He is drawn to the humble. He's also clear that He opposes the proud. These two, humility and pride, cannot coexist. Where one is fostered, the other is defeated.
Which will you pursue?
C. J. Mahaney paints a striking picture of the daily battle quietly raging within every Christian and asks whether you will passively accommodate the enemy of your soul, pride, or actively cultivate your best friend, humility. When you acknowledge the deception of pride and intentionally humble yourself, you become free to savor abundant mercies and unlikely graces. You will find a new life is yours--a life God richly favors. A God-glorifying life you don't want to miss.
"C. J. Mahaney is not humble. At least, that's what he'll tell you. And that's one reason he's so well qualified to write this book."
"-Mark E. Dever, Senior pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Author, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
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""A much-needed wake-up call on this important subject. I highly recommend this book." "
"-Jerry Bridges, Author of The Pursuit of Holiness
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"This is the right book from the right man at the right time."
"-R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
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Story Behind the Book
"Given pride's pervasive presence in my life, I come to this book in holy fear, yet inspired by God's promises to be humble and sobered by his warnings to the proud (Isaiah 66:2b, 1 Peter 5:5b). Scripture reveals to us that, while pride was the first and most serious sin, God is decisively drawn to humility and is specifically supportive of the humble. Only Christ has fully obeyed Isaiah 66:2b ("This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word"), yet He did so as our representative How marvelous that in our daily battle against pride we can rely on God's grace, through the gospel, and thus bring honor and glory to God." --C. J. Mahaney

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 Really Matters
Have the extremities taken over and left the core of your faith forgotten? Do you get confused by what you feel versus what is real? Let dynamic pastor C. J. Mahaney strip away the nonessentials and bring you back to the simplest, most fundamental reason for your faith: Jesus Christ. This book is packed with powerful truth that will grip your heart, clear your mind, and invigorate your soul. Chapters include "Breaking the Rules of Legalism," "The Cross Centered Day," and "Assurance and Joy." Get ready to behold a breathtaking view of what God intends to accomplish in and through you every day. You'll discover how embracing this cross centered life is both our highest privilege and greatest responsibility.

His Gift, Your Hope
Do you desire more passion for Jesus Christ? Return to the very essence of your faith--the cross of Christ. Here, the deepest truths of Calvary will stir your passion for Him into an unquenchable fire.
"Never lay it aside. Never move on," says C. J. Mahaney, who shows you how to center every day around the life-giving reality of the gospel and how to escape the pitfalls of legalism, condemnation, and feelings-driven faith.

PRAISE
"Every Timothy needs a Paul. C. J. Mahaney is mine...and this book contains his life-message. Read it yourself, and let God realign your life." - Joshua Harris, Pastor and bestselling author
"With tenderness and power, C. J. illustrates the critical difference between "snacking on the benefits of the cross" and "surveying the wonders of the cross." This is a must and magisterial read " - Scotty Smith, senior pastor, Christ Community Church

C. J. Mahaney's "The Cross Centered Life "and "Christ Our Mediator "are life-changing books whose unique messages are even more powerful when combined. "Living the Cross Centered Life "is a careful melding of these two books with new content as well. For readers who have not yet discovered the stand-alone books, or for Mahaney fans ready to cherish their favorites in a new package, this book is sure to become a treasured classic.

Marriage is a profound and marvelous mystery established by God for his glory-and that is for our good. So many marital relationships never reach their greatest potential because they have the fatal limitation of being focused on one another. When our focus is solely on God, our marriages have the potential to thrive and not merely survive.

Pastor Mark Dever seeks to help readers understand the biblical foundations of evangelism and challenge them to develop a culture of evangelism in their lives and their local churches.