GLORY IN THE CROSS

Gal 6:14-16 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. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

As he evokes their love for all mankind, and especially for their Christian brethren, the apostle Paul demonstrates his love and devotion to all members of the churches in the province of Galatia when says, Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand (Vs. 11). Whether Paul is referring to the length of this letter, to its deep, spiritual content, or to some other "large" and caring expression, is not known. I take it to mean that, because of his thorough knowledge and understanding of their spiritual needs, Paul's letter to them expressed his deep, affectionate love, by which he addressed the problems that had arisen, due to the false doctrine that had pervaded their congregations. In doing so, he had given his personal attention by writing this epistle with his own hand.

Verses 12 and 13, preceding the lesson text, indicates that the churches of Galatia were made up of both Gentile and Jewish Christians. It appears that it was the Jewish Christian teachers that were bringing certain rites under the Old Covenant, into the New Testament law of Christ. The practice of circumcision was evidently one of these rites. These Judaizing teachers were attempting to constrain, or insist that, the Gentiles submit to circumcision, as a requirement of becoming a Christian, lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. It appears that possibly some of these Gentile Christians men had accepted this Jewish rite, as part of their faith in Christ, in order to avoid persecution and ridicule from the Jewish community in which they lived. This they openly admitted. How ironic, that as Jews, they had failed miserably in keeping the entire Law of Moses, yet they were now teaching, and requiring, that the rite of circumcision was necessary for all male members of the body of Christ. Not only did these Judaizing teachers profess this spiritual error as Christian doctrine, but they also did so that they may glory in your flesh. That is, they boasted about it.

Paul addresses this error in Christian doctrine by using himself as their example. He said, 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. Under the Law of Moses there was much pride, exultation, and glorying in the outward appearance of godliness. In the character of the Jewish scribes and Pharisees, we can see the importance that was placed on the outward demonstration of "holier-than-thou" piety. Notice how Jesus described their manner of life: ...all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi (Matt. 23:5-7). Our Savior, Jesus Christ condemned them further in Matthew 23:23-33.

In the Galatian churches Paul found this element of self-glory that was made a part of Christian doctrine, specifically by requiring, of all males, the Jewish rite of circumcision. Himself, once a strict Pharisee, Paul tells them that glorying in this fleshly act was sinful. Like him, they should only glory ...in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. After his conversion, Paul found no glory in the Old Testament law that was made of none effect by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary (See Gal. 5:11). For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. In Jesus, circumcision, is merely a matter of indifference. What is important, when one becomes a child of God, and is baptized into the body of Christ, is that they become a new creature. That is, they are neither Jew or Gentile, but, rather, they become a Christian - a follower of Christ.It is by this rule, as well as all rules of Christian doctrine, which were established Jesus and His Holy Spirit-inspired apostles, that Christians are to conduct themselves in their walks of life. To these true and faithful Christians - the true Israel of God, Paul says they will find the peace ...and mercy of God.

In the eyes of our Creator, there can be no glory in anything except in the cross of Christ, by which all mankind may, if obedient, find the hope of eternal life, originally promised to the faithful seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.