"But 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." (Gal.6:14)
This is quite an astounding statement when one considers the confidence that this man had placed in his own righteousness and the pride that he had in his Jewish heritage and lineage!
O how he rested in his supposed right standing before God! No doubt he often reflected on the merits of his person and work!
Recall his enumeration of these grounds of boasting in Philippians 3:5-6...."Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless,"
Like Paul, we "glory" in many things. We glory in our accomplishments, we glory in our family tree, we glory in our health and our outward appearance, we glory in our educations and our occupations, we glory in possessions. But, most tragically, we glory in our own supposed goodness as we compare ourselves with others and take comfort that "we are not like them"!
But how quickly this foundation collapses when we see God's perfect standard, when we see the Son, who always did those things that were pleasing to the Father, loving righteousness and hating iniquity in every thought, word, and deed.
As one stands in the piercing light of Holiness and purity they are utterly undone and can only cry out with Isaiah, "Woe is me"!
BUT GOD!!.......Revealed His righteousness.....He revealed His Son! He did not reveal Him as a standard for us to measure up to....He revealed Him as the standard to flee to! And, as our very source and place of righteousness!
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Rom.5:17)
Paul says it this way in 1Cor.1:30..."But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"
In Christ I stand before God complete, accepted, righteous, reconcilled, perfected!
No wonder Paul continues on in Philippians 3:7-9....."But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
Truly, where is boasting then? What do we have that we have not received? He made us and He bought us! If any man glories, let him glory in the Lord!
Christ is our Life (Col.3:4).....He is our all in all.....He is our salvation and our standing before a Holy God who demands that man be Holy as He is Holy!
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness"!!
