Wdarchivebackdrop

I Still Need the Cross

Al Weir, MD

April 16, 2019
I Still Need the Cross Al Weir, MD April 16, 2019

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life”  (1 Timothy 1:15-16, NIV 1984).

I’m a pretty good guy, when I compare myself to others, and I don’t often feel the weight of my sin, but I did yesterday. It was as if the Spirit of God just left me—to show me who I really am without Him. All day long I was short tempered and unkind, hurting people without trying. I palpably felt my sin nature and could not change. I knew I was walking all day in the wrong direction but could not turn around, all the while checking the cross on my lapel to see if it was pointed upright. I understand today that yesterday was who I am without the cross.

I still need the cross. My life sometimes runs in long stretches where I perceive the need for the cross of Christ in others’ lives but lose its meaning for myself. Not so this week. I saw again who I really am inside. Praise God that this overwhelming experience of my natural self lasted only a day; but also, praise God that He did let me experience it once again.

We need to remain aware of our sinful nature:

  1. So that we remain extremely grateful for all Christ did for us on Calvary.
  2. So that we might use Christ as our measuring stick, rather than those around us.
  3. So that we understand the great need for others to know Him, even when their lives seem satisfied.
  4. So that we will pursue the spiritual disciplines of prayer, community, worship and Bible study in order to allow His spirit to live through us, rather than us living on our own.

I have a long list of requests within my daily prayers. It would be good if I added regularly the request, “Dear Christ, let me see my sin, not so that I might feel the guilt of it, but that I might be filled with the knowledge of your grace that has overcome it, and dedicated to carrying that grace to those I meet each day.”

Dear God,
Let the knowledge of Your grace rush over me and pour into the lives of others.
Amen

Al Weir, MD

Al Weir, MD

After leaving academic medicine, Dr. Weir served in private practice at the West Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee from 1991-2005 before joining the CMDA staff as Vice President of Campus & Community Ministries where he served for three years from 2005-2008. He is presently Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Program Director for the Hematology/Oncology fellowship program. He is also President of Albanian Health Fund, an educational ministry to Albania where he has been serving for 20 years. He is the author of two books: When Your Doctor Has Bad News and Practice by the Book. Dr. Weir’s work has also been published in many medical journals and other publications. Al and his wife Becky live in Memphis, Tennessee, and they have three children and three grandchildren. Dr. Weir is currently serving on CMDA's Board of Trustees.