Two Opposing Boasts

This week as we close our journey through the book of Galatians we see a critical contrast. We see two very different boasts. We have the boasts of the flesh and the boasts of the cross. Throughout his Epistle, Paul has been encouraging the churches not to cave into the primal desires of the flesh. The Judaizers brought a compelling argument, but their motivation was flawed. They sought to boast in the flesh for two reasons, first to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ (v12) and second to boast in the flesh of the Gentiles (v13) which boils down to pride. Those boasting in the flesh were trying to avoid a fight, and to put it in modern terms they were trying to brag about their numbers. In doing this however as we have seen elsewhere in Galatians (2:11-14) they were inconsistent. You see they were focused solely on the externals, but we know that God doesn’t favor us because of externals he has favor on us as his children because of what is on the inside.

                In contrast, we see the boasts of the cross. This was the boast of Paul. This boast stands against the reasoning of the day, and Paul knew it. 1 Corinthians 1:18 tells us “for the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.”  You see the cross for the Jewish people was a curse (Deut 21:23; Gal 3:13). Yet it is in this cursed cross which we are set free, and it is in this cursed cross in which Paul boasts. This was no easy task. It required a change in priorities for Paul. Circumcision, once important to him, has now become irrelevant (Gal 1:11-17) the only thing that matters now is the fact that he is now a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17; Ep. 4:20-24). Paul has gone from boasting about himself and his accomplishments to boasting in the transforming power of Christ.

We need to be ever cautious that we don’t imitate the Judaizers. When we are faced with being ridiculed for our faith, do we accept for what it is a blessing? James 1 reminds us that trials lead to endurance which in turn leads to maturity in the faith, completeness. The threat of persecution and ridicule did not keep Christ from the cross nor should it dampen our passion for serving. We must also check our pride at the door. This simple human emotion has been the downfall of so many throughout the generations. Are we seeking to impress others with our accomplishments just for the sake of popularity?

 What do you boast in today? Do you boast in yourself, in the things that you have done to earn favor with God? Or do you boast in the righteousness of God, in the power of the cross of Christ?

(Galatians 6:11-18) “Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves; however, they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation. May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy to the Israel of God!

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body scars for the cause of Jesus. Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”