Boasting in the Cross

What do we think and feel about the cross of Christ? We live in a Christian land. We probably attend the worship of a Christian church. We have, most of us, been baptized in the name of Christ. We profess and call ourselves Christians. All this is well, it is more than can be said of millions in the world. But what do we think and feel about the cross of Christ?

I want to examine what one of the greatest Christians who ever lived, thought of the cross of Christ. He has written down his opinion, he has given his judgment in words that cannot be mistaken. The man I mean is the apostle Paul. The place where you will find his opinion is in the letter that the Holy Spirit inspired him to write to the Galatians. The words in which his judgment is set down are these: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Now what did Paul mean by saying this? He meant to declare strongly that he trusted in nothing but Jesus Christ crucified for the pardon of his sins and the salvation of his soul. Let others, if they would look elsewhere for salvation; let others, if they were so disposed, trust in other things for pardon and peace, for his part the apostle was determined to rest on nothing, lean on nothing, build his hope on nothing, place confidence in nothing, boast in nothing, except in the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul boasted in nothing but the cross. Strive to be like him.

Set Jesus crucified fully before the eyes of your soul. Listen not to any teaching that would interpose anything between you and Him. Do not give Chris's honor to another. "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:31).

Adapted from Our Great Redeemer: 365 Days with J. C. Ryle