Boasting Only in Jesus Christ

We are, by nature, proud people.

We love to talk about ourselves. We love to make our accomplishments known. We want everyone else to know about who we are and what we are doing. Just turn to your favorite social media outlet Q.E.D.

And likewise, the Galatian heretics loved to boast in themselves as well. They would boast and brag about all the converts who followed them and believed their teachings. Paul points this out to us in the following verses:

"As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh." (Galatians 6:12-13)

These heretics did not really care for the people. They only wanted the pride and public applause for having many disciples. But consider Jesus: He never wanted men to follow him simply for the sake of following (cf. John 6:65-66, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand). He desired true believers: Those whom the Father had granted to come to Jesus.

Paul knew the corruption of those false teachers who were leading the Galatians believers astray and he countered it with this:

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (v. 14)

He would not boast in anything he had done. He had no credit to his own name, but all credit should be given to Jesus Christ. For he is the one who saved us solely by his person and work. Therefore, this teaching that we should be circumcised is a vain and pointless pursuit. It leads to nothing spiritually profitable and it is not pleasing to God.

In fact, he said that they who desire to mutilate you don't even follow the teachings they impose on you! So why should we carry on our body the mark of circumcision? There is no reason too. And Paul had a more convincing argument about following Jesus. He said, if it's marks you are interested in, then just take a look at all the marks I carry for Jesus:

"for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (v. 17)

He was speaking of the scars he had received from being beaten when he went preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Those, he says, are marks worth bearing, but still not necessary.

So what should we boast in if not Jesus Christ? He is the one who has payed in full the debt of our sin. Without him we have nothing; indeed, we are nothing. I pray that you would not boast in your self today but give all honor and praise and glory to the risen Savior, Jesus. I included a link to a song to help you reflect on him.

In Christ,

Jay