SWHW Bible Reading Plan: July 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Caren Fehr:

Have you ever found yourself boasting in anything other than Christ? Maybe it's your skill at work, a sporting talent, achievements, good looks, political views, or even your family. Whether it's public boasting or secretive boasting, Paul addresses this very topic in Galatians 6:11-15.

Paul came to the conclusion he would never dare to boast in anything except Christ and Christ crucified on the cross. He counted the cross more important than anything else; it was the center of his life!

While everyone else is trying to be a "checkmark" Christian with a legalistic mindset, Paul is embracing the fullness of being a new creation that comes from magnifying, receiving, and cherishing the full benefits of the cross.

Paul is so fired up about this topic he even writes in larger letters to address the difference between those who are living to glorify themselves compared to those living to glorify Christ.

We notice two things when comparing those who glory in themselves and those who glory in Christ:

First, self-glorifiers are more focused on check-mark religion and putting on a show of religious rituals to gain the applause and approval of others. In comparison, Christ-glorifiers consider all human applause as rubbish (Philippians 3:8-10) compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.

Second, self-glorifiers fear persecution and therefore avoid cherishing the cross of Christ. On the other hand, Christ-glorifiers accept perfection because they know Jesus is their supreme reward, refuge, and ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

The New Creation hinges on the event of the cross.  It is because of the cross we can now be the true persons God created us to be! If we minimize the cross, dilute it, or neglect it, we will miss out on the fullness of being made new in Christ and lose sight of the Main Thing.

Paul proclaims the world is now crucified to him and he is crucified to the world in light of the cross. In other words, the world has become garbage to him and he has become garbage to the world (1 Corinthians 4:13).

Take on the challenge with me today to boldly reveal anything we have been boasting in or are more focused on than Jesus and the cross.

May we, like Paul, count everything as loss compared to knowing Jesus. May the glory of the cross move us to boldly and frequently share the Gospel with those around us. May we live as the new creation that exists when our old mindset is crucified with Christ. May we never lose the wonder and the awe of the cross for it is the pride and joy of the new creation. Let's live our lives to boast in no one but Christ and Him crucified.

Father, thank You for mercy and grace and the gift of the cross. Thank You we are made new by the cross and through the transforming power of Your Holy Spirit in us. Forgive me for ever boasting in what I can do or what I have because all I am and all I have is only by Your grace. Help me to see the depth, beauty, and wonder of the cross today and live differently because of it. I love You. Amen.