May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 NIV

Paul is announcing that he is dead to the world and the world is dead to him because of his belief in the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ. At the time of this letter, certain elements among the Galatians were “strong-arming” believers into circumcision and bragging about the numbers of conversions they were making.

These “ministers” were not concerned about salvation but were being legalistic and seeking to glorify themselves by exerting their influence over others. In turn, they were bragging about the number of people they had led into the act of circumcision.

Paul could have bragged about the number of converts he had won to the ranks of the faithful but refused to do so. Instead, he writes to the Galatians, “may I never boast.” He follows this passage in Galatians 6:15 asserting, “For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. WEB” In saying this, Paul teaches that under the new covenant circumcision is not the standard. Rather, being born again through faith in Jesus Christ is what saves.

Saved by the Grace of God

It is by grace that we are reconciled to God, not by a medical procedure or anything we have done. The cross and blood shed by Jesus Christ are the source of our salvation. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we join in his crucifixion and die to the world. We are born again in the Spirit of Christ. The sin of the world no longer has a hold on us.

We have nothing to brag about. The victory over sin and death came through an act of obedience to God’s will by Jesus Christ. And so, Paul says that he will only boast in the cross of Jesus.

Yesterday’s Devotional: Preferring One Another