[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
Boasting comes naturally for most people. This is why Paul is writing to the Galatians. They were proud that they had convinced some of the believers in Galatia to follow the Mosaic law, specifically, circumcision.
Lest we think these Galatians were strange, it’s helpful to stop and consider the range of things people boast about day-to-day: wealth, beauty, accomplishments, and possessions. Surprisingly, many also boast about failures, worst days ever, shortcomings, and insecurities. Social media takes boasting to a whole new level. The more creative the boast, the more likes and followers it gets. Calling something a humblebrag doesn’t make it any less boastful.
Paul corrects the Galatians (and us) with urgency, knowing that trusting anything other than Jesus’ work on the cross–no matter how religious or humble it looks, or how impressive–will lead people to hell. Paul doesn’t forbid boasting outright, but instead he directs it to a legitimate object: the cross that saves.
In telling us the singular focus of his boasting, Paul is calling us to follow his example. He makes much of Christ, recognizing that without Jesus’ saving blood, Paul himself is nothing. In 1 Corinthians Paul says that believers should not be “puffed up in favor of one against another” (4:6). He goes on to say, “What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” (4:7).
No matter whether your talents and achievements are many or few, they are gifts from God and not a cause for boasting.
Still, given that boasting comes so naturally, how can we break free? John Piper says “...when Christ summons us to obey his law of love, he offers us himself to slay the dragon of our pride, change our hearts, empower us by his Spirit, and fulfill his law.” Contrary to our culture’s fixation on our self-conception, Piper says, “What we need to break out of the shackles of our assertive pride and our timid pride is not the bolstering of self-esteem, but a radical confidence in the incomparable Christ who came into the world to save utterly unworthy sinners!” (The Law of Christ)
We are dependent on the Lord to save us. In Deuteronomy, God promised:
…And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. Deuteronomy 30:6
Apart from Christ, we cannot change our hearts. This is why He went to the cross. And this is why our boasting should only and always be about Him.
Last fall we memorized another Fighter Verses passage about boasting. In it, Jeremiah wrote,
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 )
God’s words to Jeremiah about righteous boasting in Him were followed by the warning of coming judgment against those who were “uncircumcised in heart” (Jeremiah 9:25-26). In Galatia, Paul opposed those in the church who were boasting about physical circumcision. This is not what Jesus came to accomplish. From the beginning, God was forming a people who would serve him and love him and obey Him from the heart.
Praise God that the very cross we’re commanded to boast in is what breaks our slavery to sin and puts an end to selfish boasting. Only the cross of Christ has the power to so transform a human heart. That’s worth boasting about!
For Reflection
What are you tempted to boast about?
Have you considered that feeling bad about yourself can be a form of boasting? (“I’m the worst ever!”)
Ask God to replace sinful boasting with the boasting He commands, and to fill you with joy in Him.
Candice Watters is the editor of Fighter Verses. She and her husband Steve direct Kids Camp (VBS)—most recently God Always Wins—for their church in Louisville, KY. Together they authored Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies. The Watterses are the parents of four young adults. They live in Louisville, KY.