BIBLE PASSAGE:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
(Galatians 6:14)
MEDITATION:
Boasting is defined as:
“talking with excessive pride and self-satisfaction
about one’s achievements, possessions, or abilities”
As a general rule, most people don’t enjoy being around someone who
brags about themselves or what they own.
In sports, we see individual players during the game, trying to get the fans
to focus on a play ‘they’ made, instead of showing they are a player who is
part of a ‘team’ effort. The sad part is, they want to receive accolades for
ONE play, that probably has no bearing on the final outcome of the game.
Paul had a lot of Godly wisdom, and he knew that others don’t enjoy
listening to someone brag about themselves. He wanted any bragging
from his mouth to be about someone else; in particular, he wanted to
boast about Jesus Christ. He had good reason for bragging on Jesus;
he wanted others to realize the incredible sacrifice He made for every
sinner.
What glory is there in the cross? It was an instrument of torture and shame.
Why did Paul glory in it? He gloried in it because the most selfless act ever
performed by men or angels took place upon it. He saw it as the place where
God and His Son displayed their love for mankind.
This was where Paul saw three important things:
– The radiant hope of the world.
– The end of the believer’s bondage to sin.
– The love of God shown to the hearts of mankind.
The agonizing death of Jesus restored man’s lost harmony with God,
with his fellowman, and with Jesus, Himself.
It’s very difficult for any person, with our finite limitations, to fully
comprehend the mystery of Christ’s atonement. However, we can
know that all who come to the cross in simple, trusting faith, will
lose all their guilty stains and find peace with God.
ACTION:
Question to consider:
– Have you allowed arrogant pride to cause you to constantly
tell others about yourself, your possessions and your abilities?
We need to learn from Paul and redirect any of our boasting to the One
who made it possible for us to be who we are, to have what we have, and
to do the things we can do. Look at the advice Paul gave in his letter to Peter:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
(1 Peter 3:15)
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I pray that I will never lose sight of the fact
that everything I am and all that I have are blessings from You.
I pray that I will always acknowledge that You deserve the praise,
and not me. Help me to Like the apostle Paul, let all of my pride
and boasting be about what Jesus did for me and everyone else.
Father, help me to glory in the cross of Jesus, and to more fully
understand the tremendous meaning it has for me as a believer,
and the meaning it has for all who come and kneel at the foot of
the cross. Thank You, Jesus for loving me and every other sinner
that much!”
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