10/17/2022
Prideful Christians, we have all known one or two in our lives, and Heaven forbid we are one. We see in them a holier than thou attitude where we should find the distinct humility of Christ. Our boasting should never be in our own faith, and belief, but in Christ, and He crucified. Too often we see the palm fronds lying on the ground, and the fine colt on which Christ rode into Jerusalem. We hear the cheers, and forget the jeers, and neglect the sting of the whip. In the midst of our pride we forget that the cross was His true glory. We forget what it means to pick up our own cross and follow Him into the spit of the crowd, and that only by suffering as He did can we boast in Him. Does our faith make us proud, or does it point to our own Cross on Calvary?
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Galatians 6:14 ESV
Our religious acts, and prideful prayers amount to nothing, only the humble person we have been transformed into by the cross; the sorrowful and bloodied image of Jesus who gave all that He had, and was, to save us who were lost. Our crosses of silver and gold mean nothing to Him… it is the old rugged wooden one that was running red with His blood, and lifted Him on Golgotha to be humiliated, that saved the world, and should be our boast. Circumcision became a symbol of religion, but our symbol is our transformation, and is meant to be far more than a tiny eighth day offering of skin… it is our humble ability to love, and unselfish personal sacrifice that transforms us.
“For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”
Galatians 6:15 ESV
Our marks of pride and faith are not made on us by the temple knife, and are not the sign of a prideful religion, but are those borne by Christ. We are meant to reflect the lowly stripes that any common thief or criminal might bear, or those that a tortured soul would carry as a warning sign for all to see. This is our boast… the marks of suffering that led Jesus to proclaim a New Covenant.
“And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
Galatians 6:16-17 ESV
So what is the source of our pride, and are our marks those of Jesus Christ in whom we are transformed? To win souls we must first cast off our own pride, and become a servant. Only in this way can we lead the lost to faith. No wandering soul is saved by a haughty faith that holds the bar of righteousness far over their heads in arrogant pride.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the humble nature of your Son Jesus, and thank you for transforming our own pride into humility, and leaving us to boast in Him alone. Help us Lord to be be an encouragement to the faith of others, and that our pride not become a stumbling block for them. Teach us how to lead others by becoming servants of faith, and through the image of Jesus they will come to see in us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose Son is our boast, and in whose cross we take pride. Praised be your name for every opportunity we have to set aside our own selves, and boast in the
Life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Merciful are you Lord for placing the meekest, and most humble, of saints in our paths. Your grace that pours over us through Christ is our joy, and His passion on Calvary our boast. Wash us thus in his blood, and cleanse us of all sin. Judge us not in our selves, but in the image of Jesus in whom we are transformed. Pronounce us worthy in our faithful humility, and call us your children, and pleasure. Seat us at your table forever, and feed us with the manna of your Word. Let us humble ourselves before you forevermore, and in this way, seal us in Christ for all eternity.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.”
Galatians 6:18 ESV
Rich Forbes