THE CROSS OF CHRIST...OUR FOCAL POINT!
READ Galatians 6:11-18
This morning we will focus upon Galatians 6:14-16, "...God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."
Paul clearly points to the focal point of our lives as believers, and that is the cross of Christ. The cross of Christ is the only boast of a true believer of God, for there is no other approach to God. God accepts a person only if he comes to Him by way of the cross. There is no other way to become acceptable to God. Therefore, the true minister has no other message, no other truth of which to boast. Paul gave three reasons why the cross is the believer's only boast.
1. The cross crucifies the world to men and men to the world - vs. 14.
As already stated, Paul's object of glory was the cross of Christ and all it stood for: salvation and victory over sin, death, and the devil. It was the symbol of God’s amazing grace and His great love wherewith He loved us. It was the place where Jesus shed His precious blood that we might be redeemed. It was where our justification was affected. It was that in which Paul would glory. It was through the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ that the world has been crucified to us and we to the world. His point is that through the cross of Christ and the Christ of the cross we have been set apart from the world. It is dead to us and we ought to be dead to it. In Christ, Paul (and we) have been crucified to the world and the world unto us. See Galatians 2:20. The focal point of New-Testament Christianity is the cross. It is the one scriptural and enduring symbol of the work of Christ.
2. The cross creates a new man - vs. 15.
In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor the lack thereof avails anything. It means nothing. What is crucial is becoming a new creature in Christ. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). That is the bottom line. Then, and only then, does one become a new creature in Christ. And then, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means a thing.
3. The cross brings peace and mercy - vs. 16.
Paul thus invokes a benediction of blessing to those of like mind. "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." As many as live by this great truth, he invokes God’s peace and mercy to them. It surely is not coincident that the peace and mercy he invoked is also addressed to “the Israel of God.” Paul wished to make clear his affinity for Israel and things Jewish. He had attacked Judaizers throughout the epistle. Nevertheless, Israel remained God’s chosen people. However, it likewise was not coincident that Paul so addressed them as “the Israel of God.” Clearly implied is the true Judaism which turned to God through Jesus Christ. Though remaining Jews, they were in Christ. Unfortunately, to this day, the vast majority of Jews remained hardened to the gospel and thus blinded thereto. To these, who, in repentance and faith, turn to Christ, is Paul’s special invocation of peace and mercy.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. What is the secret to the power of the cross?
2. What kind of life is lived by a Christian who avoids the cross?
3. How do you cultivate a habit of living through the cross?