“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)
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash
Prioritizing outward symbols
makes our spiritual life appear godly on the outside, but porous on the inside.
Porous faith makes it easy for people to deny God, just as easily as they hide
the necklace of the cross from the eyes of others. Therefore, a life that bears
the fruit of goodness as a form of faith is more meaningful than just an
outward sign. What kind of faith are we living?
However, not a few people
emphasize the excessive use of symbols. The Jewish Christians forced the
Galatians to be circumcised, as if salvation in Christ was not complete. They
considered the increase in circumcision as an achievement in itself.
Circumcision is also used to avoid persecution. They chose to adhere to
erroneous doctrines rather than be persecuted for following Christ.
Paul had some outward signs:
circumcised on the eighth day, from the nation of Israel, from the tribe of
Benjamin, a native Hebrew, a Pharisee, blameless in keeping the Torah (cf. Phil
3:5-6). However, he did not boast about any of it. He gloated in the knowledge
of Christ and chose to suffer for serving.
Boasting in the cross includes
admiring God that through this way He can redeem us, justify us, bear the curse
of sin in our place, and release the power of the Holy Spirit into our lives.
Boasting in the cross involves our whole heart because there is indescribable
love inside. Of course, just like money, some degree of respect is required: it
is difficult to do much if we are hated by everyone. Paul himself wanted to be
respected by the church in Galatia, so that his gospel would also be
appreciated. However, if he ever showed his status as a Roman citizen, for
example, it was not because of his status but to strengthen the position of the
church there.
Christianity recognizes many
outward symbols. Cross-shaped jewelry; wall decoration with verse quotes;
Christmas ornaments. The church administers the sacrament of Baptism and Holy
Communion, using candles, palm fronds, and so on. All of that can support us in
interpreting Christ's work of redemption.
Boasting is actually the same
as praising ourselves. According to Paul, a believer who has received a lot of
God's goodness and mercy but then still praises himself or boasts, makes a
mistake. It is arrogance! That means we should not boast. But if we want to
boast, boast in and through the name of Jesus.
Success or progress achieved in
this life often makes us proud and boastful. This is something natural and
human. But Paul reminds us that all that we experience because of God. All
because of His power, love and goodness for all of us.
Reflection on Galatians 6:11-18 by Sandre Loreng, SVD
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