Tag: Galatians 6:14-18
Boasting in Christ’s Cross
Scripture reading for August 22: Galatians 6
“But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them and upon the Israel of God. From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” Galatians 6:14-18
In our world, pride of life, position, wealth, or power brings boasting and toasting! Even religious leaders boast in their theological knowledge, good works, or unique favor with deity. Boasting often causes strife and violence. Sometimes it causes envy, jealousy and factions. That’s why Christ’s church has splintered into thousands of denominations and religious cults. This leaves many in confusion and disillusion about the church and its message of love, mercy and unity.
In Galatia, Jewish false teachers had insisted on circumcision for believers, adding another boast in their ‘obedience’ to the law. Paul taught the church that circumcision or no circumcision did not matter at all to God. In fact, all who were adding circumcision to their body were under a curse. No one circumcised or not can keep the law. (Galatians 3:10-11) What really counted was a ‘new creation’ (2 Corinthians 5:17) that came from faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross in dying as a substitute for our sins. Unless a person is born-again, they cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3) Because of this, Paul stated that his only boast was in the cross of Jesus Christ where his sin nature was crucified with Jesus and he now considered himself crucified to the world. God’s grace was something to boast about! The marks of beatings, stoning’s and persecution testified to God’s mark inside of sonship through faith in Jesus and His work on the cross.
Have you ever been full of pride in something you have accomplished or that you possessed? Has boasting ever caused trouble in your life, either your own boasting or another’s? Can you identify with Paul’s statement of boasting in Christ’s cross?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me something to truly boast about–Your sacrifice on the cross! May my life be marked by the cross and Your work on my behalf. Help me to live consistently dependent on Your grace and share Your mercy through the cross with a world full of boasting in itself.
The blessings of new creation!
Scripture reading for February 1st: Exodus 4-6, Galatians 6
Galatians 6:14-18 “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God..”
God had given the Israelites the covenant sign of circumcision. All male babies were to be circumcised (Genesis 17:11-17) as a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham to bless all nations through his offspring. The Jews boasted of this covenant, and gloried in their status as a people marked by God. But Paul, a circumcised Jew, understood that God had made a ‘new covenant’ with His people, through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary. Paul’s boast was not in the old covenant of circumcision, but now in the new creation birthed in each believer through repentance and faith in Christ alone, marked through the gift of the Holy Spirit! The blessing of this ‘new creation’ is peace with God and enjoyment of His mercy and forgiveness of sins and adoption into His family, the true ‘Israel of God.’ As God promised deliverance from slavery to His people through Moses, the great “I Am” has done what He promised through ‘new creation’ in all who believe.
Exodus 6:6-7 “Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I Am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who brings Your life and presence to live in my mortal body and makes me a ‘new creation’ in Christ Jesus our Lord! Thank You for initiating my salvation and bringing it to pass. Help me to boast only in Your cross and to live a life crucified to the world and alive to You. Give me opportunity to share this Good News with those needing peace and mercy.
2nd Corinthians 5:17-18 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, Who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. . .”