Why We Should Glory in the Cross

Why We Should Glory in the Cross

Text: Galatians 6:14 Theme: The centrality of the cross in Christian faith and life.

Introduction

There are many things we can boast about.

Our jobs

our family

our accomplishments

Our Membership

Some boast in belonging to a certain church or denomination. They think, “My name is on the church roll — I must be all right.”

But if your name is only in the church book and not in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you are still lost. (Revelation 20:15)

Our Knowledge

glory in what we know or how many certificats or degrees we have

But knowledge without love “puffeth up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1 “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” ) It’s not how much Scripture you can quote, but how much Scripture you live.

And we could go on and on

but Paul, who if anyone had something to boast about, because listen

He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews from the tribe of Benjamin

studied at the feet of Gamilial

He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees

to His enemies he was blameless

and after salvation he was a preacher of preachers

a soul winner of soul winners

a church planter of church planters

a missionary of missionaries

— but he counted all of the a loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:7–8)

The man that stood at the alter of the unknown God on Mars hill and preached Jesus

The one that stood up to Peter about his compromise

The one that told King Agrippa he was lost and needed to get saved

That Paul who had met Jesus on the road to Damascus

Said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.14)

Of all the things that Paul could have gloried in, he chose the cross.

he could have said the salvation of Jesus or the resurrection of Jesus, but no he said, the Cross.

Humanly Speaking, that is not something someone should be glorying in

To the natural mind, the idea of glorying in the cross makes no sense.

In the first century, no one wore a cross around their neck as jewelry or carved it on a steeple.

It was not a symbol of hope — it was a symbol of horror.

The Historical Shame of the Cross

In the Roman world, crucifixion was reserved for the lowest of the low — slaves, traitors, and the vilest criminals.

It was not only a means of execution but of humiliation.

The condemned were stripped naked, paraded through the streets, and nailed to rough wood in public view.

Roman citizens were usually spared such a death; it was considered too degrading.

Cicero, the Roman philosopher, said, “Let the very name of the cross be far removed not only from the bodies of Roman citizens, but even from their thoughts, their eyes, their ears.”

The cross meant death and denial:

Death – It was a slow, torturous dying, where victims could hang for hours, even days, gasping for breath. Every breath was agony. One commentator said, to die on the cross was to die a thousand times over.

Denial – For Jews, the cross was especially scandalous because Deuteronomy 21:23 said, “He that is hanged is accursed of God.” To them, anyone crucified was rejected by heaven.

So when Paul said, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross…” (Galatians 6:14), it was shocking.

The very thing the world despised, Paul delighted in.

So, Why did Paul Glory in the Cross, why should we glory in the cross?

Galatians 6:14 “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.”

I believe we can see three things

I. The Cross Reveals the Truth about Grace

When Paul looked at the cross, he saw the end of all human boasting and the beginning of divine grace.

The cross strips away every illusion that man can save himself.

Grace contrasted with Justice

God’s holiness demanded perfection

God’s Justice demanded payment

Neither one could man fulfill

Justice says: “You get what you deserve.” The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Grace says: “You receive what you don’t deserve.” The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

At Calvary, God satisfied His justice and displayed His grace at the same time. The penalty of sin was paid in full — not overlooked, but overcome by love.

Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

The cross reminds us that we contribute nothing to salvation but the sin that made it necessary.

It silences pride and magnifies mercy.

Jesus did not die as a martyr, but as a substitute. He took our place, bore our punishment, and gave us His righteousness.

“He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The cross proves that salvation is not earned by our merit but granted by His mercy.

You can’t buy it, work for it, or deserve it — you can only receive it.

Application: When you look at the cross, you’re reminded — “I am saved by grace, not by goodness; by His mercy, not my merit.”

That’s why we glory in the cross.

II. The Cross Reveals the Truth about the World

Paul said, “By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

The cross draws a line between the world’s values and the believer’s vision. It exposes the world for what it is — temporary, deceptive, and dying — and shows us the life that is eternal and true.

A. The Cross Condemns the World’s System

The world glories in power, pride, possessions, and pleasure.

But the cross turns all that upside down.

At Calvary, the world mocked weakness

— yet God was working salvation.

The cross reveals that what the world calls failure is often God’s greatest victory.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

A. The Cross Condemns the World’s System

B. The Cross Calls Us to Separation

When Paul said “the world is crucified unto me,” he meant, “I’m dead to its charms.”

He no longer sought its praise or feared its rejection.

The man who has been to Calvary cannot live for the applause of men — he lives for the approval of Christ.

Illustration: A spider has eight legs, a dog has four, and a man has two — yet all can only walk one way.

Once you start walking with Jesus, you can’t go two directions at once.

A. The Cross Condemns the World’s System

B. The Cross Calls Us to Separation

C. The Cross Changes Our Perspective

When you kneel at the cross, the world loses its shine.

Riches, fame, and comfort look small beside the Savior’s sacrifice.

The cross resets our compass — it points us heavenward.

So when Paul said “By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 6:14)

Paul was saying:

“I no longer see shame — I see salvation. I no longer see death — I see deliverance.”

To glory in the cross was to embrace what the world rejected and to boast in what the world despised.

That’s why Paul could say:

“The world that mocked the cross no longer has power over me. I belong to the One who hung upon it.”

Application: Have you let the world die to you?

Do you live for its passing pleasures, or for the One who died to give you eternal joy?

The cross forces that question — and frees us to answer it rightly.

III. The Cross Reveals the Truth about Eternity

At Calvary, heaven’s door swung open to sinners.

A. Man’s Inability

We could never save ourselves.

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

No ladder of morality, religion, or good works can reach heaven.

We weren’t misguided — we were dead in sin. (Ephesians 2:1)

Illustration: A drowning man doesn’t need swimming lessons; he needs a rescuer.

Christ didn’t stand on the shore and shout instructions — He dove into the deep, took our place, and lifted us out.

A. Man’s Inability

B. Christ’s Sufficiency

When Jesus died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).

God Himself opened the way into His presence.

What man could not do, Christ did perfectly.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19)

Illustration: It’s as if God tore down the “Keep Out” sign that hung over heaven and replaced it with one that reads, “Welcome Home.”

And because of Christ, our eternity is secured

A. Man’s Inability

B. Christ’s Sufficiency

C. Eternity Secured

Because of the cross, we don’t face condemnation — we have reconciliation.

The cross turned strangers into sons, and enemies into heirs.

Now we can say with Paul,

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

Application:

At the cross, eternity was settled.

Our sins were paid, our souls redeemed, and our future secured.

That’s why we glory in the cross — because it’s not the end of hope; it’s the beginning of heaven.

Church we glory in the cross because it is the wonder of our faith

the cross that once symbolized curse now speaks of cleansing; the tree of death has become the tree of life.

Conclusion

Paul’s boasting was not in his heritage, his works, or his wisdom — but in the blood-stained cross of Christ.

To the world, the cross was a curse; to the believer, it is our crown.

When you understand grace, when you see the world through Calvary’s eyes, and when you grasp the promise of eternity — then you, too, will say with Paul:

“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Illustration: So, Ill cherish the Old Rugged Cross

till my trophies at last I lay down

I will cling to the old rugged cross

and exchange it some day for a crown

or

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyound the river.

Final Appeal

Beloved, what are you glorying in today? Your accomplishments? Your religion? Your goodness?

All these will fade away — but the cross will stand forever.

At the cross, mercy and truth met; righteousness and peace kissed each other. (Psalm 85:10) There you’ll find forgiveness for your past, peace for your present, and hope for your future.

Come to the cross — not to look, but to kneel. Bring your sin, your sorrow, your shame — and leave them at Calvary.

Then you, too, can say with Paul:

“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”