“But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14, ASV)
Years ago, I was teaching an adult Sunday school class on humility. So, I began the class by giving a brief parody of a testimony. In it I spent five minutes bragging on myself. I told people how great I was because of all my wonderous qualities and accomplishments. Of course, I was intentionally doing something that was not Christ like and way over the top. It was to make a point.
When I finished, I asked the group, “What did you think of my testimony?” One of the men in the class stated, “I felt like getting up and punching you in the mouth!” I guess I got the point across. However, reading his response, I obviously went way too far. My point was that boasting in ourselves is an effort born in the flesh to bring glory to ourselves and which steals the glory from God.
The Scripture teaches us that our chief end is to glorify God in whatever we do (1 Cor 10:31). This includes our speech.
In this conclusion to his letter to the Galatians, Paul made this statement, “far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul got it right. After everything Paul did in his apostolic ministry, he would not boast in anything else than the wonder of God’s grace, highlighted in Christ’s finished work on the cross. All glory was due to God for He had made all things possible.
This, as presented in the previous devotion, was in total contrast to the false teachers. One of their motives was self-glorification through those whom they might lead to follow their deadly heresy. Remember that Paul wrote of them that they desired to have the Galatians circumcised that they might glory in their flesh (Gal 6:13).
Boasting is a true problem of the flesh that can easily infiltrate the actions of believers and churches today. It stems from pride and arrogance. It is not just something that begins with the tongue through words. Jesus stated, “But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man” (Matthew 15:18, ASV). Boasting in one’s self is an issue of pride that is formed in the heart of man. It is manufactured by the old nature and not born of the Spirit.
The spiritual man, the one led by the Spirit, will give all glory to God. The reason is simple. The Spirit cannot lead a person in any other way but to give glory to God. So, the issue is one of leadership. Thus, let us ask the question, “Is the flesh leading us or the Spirit?” Let us be careful to yield to the Spirit and then we will give glory to God in everything we do.
Renewing the Heart 