“On Sunday the 10th of April, associate Pastor Fred, shared a message titled Nothing but the Cross, from Galatians 6:11-18. The thrust of his message was that because of the cross a believer leads a crucified life, a new creation life, and a Christ branded life.
One major mark of a Christ branded life is the aspect of boasting. What do you and I boast in? In 1st John Chapter 2, Apostle John teaches that one of the world’s major temptations is boasting in our achievements and possessions. Yet the Bible is replete with admonitions about boasting in nothing but Jesus:
- Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;
- 1 Corinthians 1:31
so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
- 2 Corinthians 10:17
But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.
- Psalm 20:7
Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.
Boasting is defined as expressing too much pride in a person’s qualities, possessions, or achievements. Our pride, and excessive pride at that, should only be in Jesus because it is only through Him that we have all that is good in our lives. And it is only through Him that we are children of God.
Application:
In Philippians 3:1-12 the Apostle lists down all the things that he can boast in and terms them all garbage in comparison to putting his confidence in Christ. Right down all the things that you can boast in on a paper, and over that list write nothing but the cross. Keep it somewhere safe and refer to it often when tempted to boast in anyone, or anything, other than Jesus.
Prayer: Hymn by Selah
will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection.”
