Boast in Christ Alone

Passage: Galatians 6:11-18

Points
1. Some wanted to look good to others and in the flesh by demanding circumcision, so they would not be persecuted for Christ’s sake.
2. Those who demanded circumcision did not keep the law but they were able to boast in those they persuaded to accept the practice of circumcision.
3. Paul reveals that he chooses to boast in nothing but the cross of Christ because neither circumcision nor non-circumcision count for anything compared to the new creation through Christ.

Personalize
Paul closes Galatians with the same theme he began his letter. The gospel is good news because of the cross of Christ alone. The demand to accept the practice of circumcision would not make a difference in the life of an individual but only the cross of Christ would transform individuals into new creations.

The system of Paul’s day was guided by the demands of the law. Circumcision was the physical and tangible evidence that there was a change in the person. The individuals who accepted this practice and demanded others to do the same did not keep the other parts of the law. They boasted in more circumcised converts but did not live what they preached. There demands were not backed up by their own commitments.

It is easy to focus our church and religious efforts on outward signs and evidences. In the Baptist circle we call it the three B’s: buildings, baptisms, and budgets. Like the law demanders of Paul’s day, we boast in the tangible results of our ministry. If we possess a beautiful building, people are going into the baptistry and our giving is up we feel great. We begin to boast in these rather than the cross of Christ. Our focus must remain on Christ and His redemptive work and not the physical signs of his transforming power.

Prayer
Lord give us eyes to see what is most important. May we not boast in the results but may we only boast in the cross of Christ and His redemptive work. Transform our agendas and efforts to conform to yours and may we point others to you and the difference the gospel will make in their lives. We choose to boast in Christ alone!