Text: Galatians 6:14

Introduction: Billy Graham writes this about the cross of Jesus Christ.

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, “I love you.”
– Billy Graham

Andrew Murray once said this about the cross.

“Salvation comes through a cross and a crucified Christ.”
– Andrew Murray

John R Rice writes,

“His brokenhearted cry on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” shows God’s heart toward sinners.”
– John R. Rice

Paul writes to the Churches in the Galatia area refuting and debunking legalism. He is emphatically led by the Holy Spirit to renounce man’s self-effort to please God. This includes both before and after conversion. Check out three (3) thoughts about “Glorying in the Cross”!

1. Paul could have Gloried and boasted in his PEDIGREE! (Phil 3:4-9)

“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless… 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

2. Paul could have GLORIED in his PERSECUTION! (2Cor 11:23-31)

“3Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.”

Jesus informed Paul that he would suffer many things. Speaking to Ananias about how Paul would suffer, the Lord Jesus said to him the following.

3. Paul could have GLORIED in his PARADISE experience! (2Cor 12:1-6)

“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.”

Although the Lord allowed Satan to buffet Paul with a thorn in the flesh because of his Vision experience, Paul cried out to God for relief and healing, yet he was ultimately satisfied that God’s GRACE would be SUFFICIENT!

“7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2Cor 12:7-11).

Conclusion: The great preacher C. H. Spurgeon once said, “In the cross there is a cure for every spiritual disease. There is food for every spiritual virtue in the Savior. We never go to him too often.”

Like Paul, we too can resolve in our hearts and minds that the only legitimate reason to GLORY is in the Cross of Jesus Christ!

Why? Because this is the only way to be forgiven of our sins and to be connected to our Lord Jesus in a personal relationship.