A Word from God's Word

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...”

Galatians 6:14a

IF ANYONE HAD A GOOD reason to boast, it would be the author of these words above: the Apostle Paul. Elsewhere, he describes who he was before his conversion, and that is, “concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:6). In other words, when it comes to outward obedience to the law, Paul was without equal. Yet here he says, “God forbid that I should boast”.

Even so, after coming to faith in Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), Paul became a great missionary, travelling all over the Roman world, leading many to faith in Christ and planting churches everywhere. Furthermore, he authors 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. Yet here he says, “God forbid that I should boast”.

So why, with a “resume” like that, does Paul refuse to boast? Because Paul understands that the salvation of the believer—our right standing before God—is not based on anything in us. If Paul can’t boast, then certainly none of us can. Rather, the salvation of Paul (and every believer) is based not on any merit within us but is based on the death and resurrection of Christ. Because Christ lived a sinless life, and then died on the cross as my substitute, with my sin upon Him there, His righteousness and merit come to me by faith, and to everyone else who will trust in Him alone for salvation. What about you?

Pastor Craig publishes  "A Word from God's Word" weekly in the "Kootenay News Advertiser".