Boasting in the Cross

Galatians 6:14-16

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.  Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—and to the Israel of God.”

There are lots of things we like to boast about. We boast about our accomplishments. We boast about our possessions. We boast about our successes. None of these things is bad in and of themselves, but when compared to the work that God has done they pale in comparison. In this passage, Paul is talking to the church of Galatia. The church had encountered some false teachers who were encouraging them to be circumcised. Paul let them know that the works of the flesh, like circumcision, counted very little with God.

Instead, Paul says, we should boast in the work of God because it did something nothing else could do. It made us new creations and crucified the world and its works of the flesh in our lives. Now, it no longer matters what others think or do or say. What matters is God’s finished work, and His judgement. Paul wants our focus to be on the atonement of Christ, where it belongs, not on outward signs or symbols or works that we do. If we put our focus there, Paul assures us that peace and mercy will follow us.

So the next time you feel rejected by the world or you worry that you’re not doing enough for God, remember that the most important work was already done. It was done when Christ died for us on the cross. There is nothing you can do that compares to this finished work. It is an act of grace. Focus on that work instead of your own. Boast about what God has done. Focus on Him. And peace and mercy will surely follow.

Father, I thank you for your finished work on the cross. I thank you that in that work you did awesome and amazing things that I am only beginning to understand. I thank you that through your works I no longer have to be concerned about my skills or abilities or the works that I can do. They all pale in comparison to what you’ve already done. From now on, I want to boast about what you have done and not what I can do. Help me keep my focus on you where it belongs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.