Boasting in Christ Alone | Galatians 6:13-15

Are you boasting about the wrong things?

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For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.— Galatians 6:13

Paul is so familiar with twisted acts of legalism that he tells the Galatians (both Gentiles and Jews) how twisted the motives of legalism can be.

Simply put, he says that some legalists will invade your churches and try to convince you to be obedient to the law, even though no one can be obedient to the law aside from Jesus, and then return to Jerusalem and boast about what they have done to you.

This is insanity, but it's precisely what Paul says they will try to do, and he knows this is their motivation because he was a devout Jew before he became a follower of Jesus.

But then he says this:

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. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. — Galatians 6:14-15

This is good, and here is why. What you boast about is what you care about. If you boast about the things of this world, then you care about the things of this world. But if you boast in the Lord, then you care about the things of the Lord.

So let me give you a little life hack I have used to help retrain my mind, spirit, and soul. When people praise me for something I have done, I try to immediately deflect glory to God by responding with the phrase—"Praise The Lord!"

Sometimes, at least in Christian circles, people dismiss this declaration as a little cliche. But for me, it is not. I use this statement to preach a truth to myself. You see, I need to be reminded that it is only by Jesus's redemption and salvation and the Spirit's gifts and power that I can do anything. So I proclaim this statement to preach this truth to myself when I am tempted to boast in myself. But by preaching this truth to myself, I am also preaching this truth to others that only the Lord is one that ever deserves praise. Thus, I am training myself while preaching to others, which is more than cliche; it's the truth.

#BoastInTheCross
#NewCreationInChrist
#OvercomeLegalism

ASK THIS:

1. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to seek approval or boast about your achievements. How can you shift your focus to give glory to God in similar situations moving forward?
2. Consider the phrase "Praise the Lord" as more than just a saying, but a declaration of where your worth lies. How can this practice help you and others focus more on God's work in your lives rather than personal accomplishments?

DO THIS: Proclaim it today, "Praise the Lord!"

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to boast only in Your cross, recognizing that all my accomplishments are gifts from You. Teach me to redirect every praise back to You, grounding my identity and worth in Your gracious love. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Praise.