“For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ.
Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate.
Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do…It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new,
a free life!”
Galatians 6:14-15 MSG
What do you boast about? Does your car sport a bumper sticker that says, “Proud parent of an honor student?” Do you have a monster-size Muskie donning the wall of your home office? Or, on your refrigerator, is there a framed “treasure” from your grandson?
It’s natural to boast of another’s accomplishments. Not in a prideful way, but in a way that shows they did an amazing job and you want to honor them. (Not so great to boast about yours.)
But, here, the Apostle Paul wants to boast of only one thing: Jesus’ accomplishment on the cross. He is blown away by the cross. The cross made a huge difference in his life. The cross of Jesus humbled him. The cross of Master Jesus rescued him forever. How can he not boast?
And it’s not just one of the many things he boasts about…it’s THE ONLY THING!
Do you have one thing that you boast about? Is it the saving work of Jesus on the cross for you? Without the cross, you would be lost…but now you are found! That’s something to boast about.
And Paul had been blaspheming this Jesus for years…until he saw the light. Literally. In the midst of his wayward actions and misguided thinking, Jesus stepped into his life to save him. (Just like He does with us.) To save him from “the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns they dictate.”
And that’s a BIG DEAL! God is creating something totally new…a free life! No more answering to everyone around you. Only Jesus! He provided you with a way out by His Cross. Not only for living above the fray now…but the Cross comes with a guarantee that we are free in this life…and the next! Forever free in Jesus’ accomplishment!
No wonder Paul wants to only boast about one thing. The cross intersected his life, stopped him in his tracks and brought him to his repentant knees. When he deserved death, the Cross breathed life into his very soul.
Have you been there? Have you been to the Cross of Christ? Are you staying there and boasting of Jesus’ accomplishment? It far outweighs anything that anyone has ever accomplished.
