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. – Galatians 6:14
This seems over the top.
Boast only in the cross! Really? Literally only in the cross? Even the Bible talks about other things to boast in:
Boast in the glory of God (Romans 5:2).
Boast in our tribulations (Romans 5:3).
Boast in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Boast in the people of Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19).
There are even things not in the bible I would venture to say it is ok to boast in:
Food that taste awesome.
Athletic play that you saw.
Proud of family members.
The list could go forever…
So what does “only” mean in Galatians?
It means that all other boasting should still be a boasting in the cross!
Wrap your mind around this…
When Christ died He did not just purchase salvation.
When you die and go to Heaven – purchased by blood!
When you enjoy a juicy cheeseburger and sip of Coke – purchased at the Cross!
Experience hitting a grand slam to win the game – purchased by blood!
Worship in your car of Wednesday night – purchased at the Cross!
Your have a child that has a relationship with Jesus – Jesus made that happen at the Cross!
Everything that happens in your every day life – purchased by Jesus in His dying of the Cross!!!
Every boast should honor the cross. Why? Because every good thing—indeed, even every bad thing that God turns for good—was obtained for us by the cross of Christ. Apart from faith in Christ, sinners get only judgment. So anything we are blessed with is Grace that was purchased on the Cross.
Students…
BOAST!
REJOICE IN ALL THINGS!
BOAST ALL DAY LONG AND POINT IT TO THE CROSS!
I hope that after reading this you become radically Cross-focused! My prayer for you is:
To become Christ centered and cross-cherishing.
You ponder the truth that everything good, and everything bad that God turns for the good, was purchased by the sufferings of Christ.
Your faith becomes marked by Christ above everything in the world.
