But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Boasting can be as subtle as a pastor lamenting how many thousands of people he must shepherd at his church or a businessperson under the same burden of so much money. It seems to come naturally for us to let people know our children and grandchildren are well above average. I should know! Paul himself was accused of just such a thing by the church in Corinth and he had addressed the topic earlier in this letter to the churches in Galatia. He wrote this himself in large letters to show how the circumcision group was using the ritual to lift themselves up in the eyes of the congregations. Paul’s boast was in the only one deserving of it, Jesus Christ.
Far be it from us to boast in anything other than what Jesus did for us for eternity, not what we have done in this short life. If what we do saves us, then circumcision is the right course of action because we had better do something to save ourselves, having rejected this perfect sacrifice. Oh, and we had better keep the law to the tune of 613 statutes. Where will our boasting be then? Praise be to God, and no man, that we are saved by the blood of the Lamb. We are a new creation and that counts more than anything!
Dear Lord, thank you for the cross which beats anything man has ever accomplished on his own. May we boast about you to someone today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church