
Galatians 6:14 KJV
14 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.
Galatians 6:14 Amplified Bible
14 But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone], except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

GLORY IN THE CROSS

From any perspective other than that of a believer and follower of Christ, there would absolutely be no glory in the cross.
It was an instrument of torture and public shame to the victims of such practice. It was a horrible thing to witness.
However, to Paul, it represented “everything.”
It was the place where Jesus Christ willingly gave His life in a totally selfless act of submission, for the sake of all others.
The apostle Paul knew very well and conveyed that all of our Christian beliefs are built upon the foundation of the cross.
The cross of our salvation is far more than the pieces of wood that form it.
- It is the foundation of ALL that we Christians believe.
- It is where Jesus was crucified as the perfect atonement for our sins.
- It is the ultimate manifestation of the love and grace of God.
- It is the BRIDGE that re-connects us and reconciles us with God.
It means literally everything to the believer.
THE CROSS MEANT EVERYTHING TO THE APOSTLE PAUL

We see that Paul considered the cross of Jesus as the integral and most important part of his faith.
Galatians 6:14 KJV
14 But God forbid that I should glory (boast), save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Galatians 6:14 Amplified Bible
14 But far be it from me to boast [in anything or anyone], except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
In speaking these words, Paul is glorifying the cross of Jesus, while at the same time denying any glory or boasting of his own ability or works.
We know that Paul had many achievements and great works to his name, but he is unequivocally saying here that the cross of Jesus Christ is all that really matters.
The cross should be the object of our glory and boasting.
THE CROSS IS OFTEN "FOOLISH" TO THE UNBELIEVER
1 Corinthians 1:18 Amplified Bible
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22-23 Amplified Bible
22 For Jews demand signs (attesting miracles), and Greeks pursue [worldly] wisdom and philosophy, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense],
When we think seriously and deeply about the cross of Calvary, we see a few things that can be a stumbling block to the unbeliever.
Things that can be "foolishness or absurd" to them.
Such as.
- In the words of the great songwriter Phil Cross, we see where Jesus Chris is the ONLY king who had to die for His kingdom to begin.
- When we visualize that “crown of thorns” that was placed on the head of Jesus in mockery and sneering, we see a crown of glory.
- The misery and humiliation that Jesus endured on the cross brings us joy and strength beyond compare.
The unbeliever often sees foolishness, finding it difficult to grasp.
When we as believers “see” the cross we see the love, mercy and grace of our Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ.
LIKE PAUL, LET US GLORY ONLY IN THE CROSS

In closing, Jesus didn’t come to earth as a warrior king.
He was born in a manger and from that point on, never had a regular place to lay his head.
He taught the world great things about His Heavenly Father and how we are to live our lives.
He performed miracles of all sorts, including raising some from the dead.
Yet, with all of this, the most powerful and important thing He did, was done on the cross of Calvary.
The cross is the foundation of our Christian beliefs. It is the source of our salvation and forgiveness of sins. It is the source of God’s master plan under His new covenant with humankind.
We who are now the children of God see absolutely “everything” in the cross of Calvary.
We who are saved through the blood of Jesus see the manifestation of the power of God in the cross.
Therefore, we should think often about the cross and the price that was paid there.
We should think often about what the cross means to us.
We should think often about the grace that God showed to the world on that cruel tree.
We should GLORY only in the cross.
RVH