Whenever we want to raise our voice in a text or email we put the cap lock on and begin to type in ALL CAPS. It seems as the Apostle Paul has done all that he can and used every logical argument to persuade the Galatian Christians not to fall for the lie of spiritual legalism, so he now puts his cap lock on so to speak and shouts…

“NOTICE WHAT LARGE LETTERS I USE as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples. As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. Dear brothers and sisters may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”  Gal 6:11-18 (NLT)

The focus of the New Testament is Christ and the Gospel. The focus of the Gospel is the cross of Christ and what God has accomplished for us there.

Too many religious people take too much pride in their particular brand of theology or denomination. In doing so it is too easy to fall into the trap of spiritual pride and focus on the wrong emphasis. In today’s text, the Apostle Paul declared where our boast should be.

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” Galatians 6:14, 15, NKJV.

What is your boast today my friend? Are you proud of your denomination or your spirituality? Beware that you have not lost your true focus.

“Thus, says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understand and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23, 24, NKJV.

Pastor Mike