Thankful For The Cross

As we consider Thanksgiving, we should be mindful of the many blessings we have in Christ. While these are too numerous to name, every believer should be thankful for the cross!

Galatians 6:12-14 (NKJV) “As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 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.”

This particular epistle of Paul was written to the churches in the region of Galatia. As you read and study this letter, a common theme becomes clear. Many people in Galatia had been influenced by the Judaizers, those who insisted that the Law must be kept, especially the practice of circumcision, along with faith in Christ, in order to be truly saved. They believed salvation was achieved partly through faith and partly through works. They argued that spiritual maturity could only be attained through faith and personal effort.

John MacArthur summarized the prevalent attitude in Galatia. He states that there are only two types of religion in the world: one based on divine accomplishment and the other on human achievement. Christianity stands alone as the “religion” of divine accomplishment. (I prefer to describe it as a relationship rather than a religion.) Our salvation was made possible by the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ, through faith in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. It is entirely an act of grace, freely given to humanity. All other religions rely on human achievement.

As we discuss the attributes associated with the cross of Christ, I want to preach on the theme: Thankful for the Cross.

I. The Humility in the Cross Verse 14

Galatians 6:14 (NKJV) “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.”

Paul reveals that there is no reason for boasting in himself. He possessed no goodness within him. I’m sure he remembered the man he used to be, who once tried to hinder the church and God's work. It was the Lord who delivered him from the bondage of sin and brought him into God's family.

He was simply the recipient of God’s loving favor. God had used his life in a powerful way since that day on the Damascus Road, but it was God who made him the man he was. Paul recognized that without the Lord, he could not have achieved any of the things he had. It was the Lord who gave him the ability to preach the gospel, endure hardships, and reach the world.

We live in an age of pride. It seems as if everyone wants to be recognized for their accomplishments. Some need to be praised and encouraged to continue serving the Lord. Man is a prideful creature, but none of us would be here today without the Lord.

I have nothing to boast about of myself. I was just a sinful beggar in need of salvation when the Lord came to me. He has made me what I am today. If there is any reason to boast in my life, it is only in the Lord and what He has done for me! This church has achieved what it has solely through the Lord. We have not prospered because of who we are or what we’ve done! I pray that we will see ourselves as nothing and Jesus as everything.

II. The Identity in the Cross (14)

But God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many in Paul’s time refused to accept the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus. They rejected the idea of a suffering Savior. Many still tried to obey the law and earn their way into God's favor. For many, the cross was a symbol of shame, and they refused to identify with it. Paul declared that the cross was his only reason for rejoicing.

It was the cross that provided the means for salvation. It was the cross that gave him the opportunity to become part of God's family. The cross was the only reason Paul boasted. He may have faced persecution and rejection for embracing the cross, but Paul was not ashamed. He knew it was the cross men needed to see. It was the preaching of the cross that men needed to hear.

Romans 1:16 (NKJV) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 (NKJV) “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

We must boldly stand and identify with the cross of Christ today. It is there our precious Lord gave His life so we might live. It was there that redemption was secured for the sins of mankind. Without the cross, we would not have hope today.

The world desperately needs people who identify with the cross, those who will take pride in the Savior who bled and died for the sins of the world! Men need to see Jesus and learn about Him. They shouldn’t see us when they enter the house of God. They don’t need modern religious gimmicks. Men need Jesus. I am proud to identify with and glory in the cross of salvation!

III. The Sanctity in the Cross (14)

By whom the world is crucified to me. Paul had been set free from the bondage of sin. He was delivered from the cares of this life. The world had died out to him, and he now lived life anew in Christ. Paul was no longer found in the places of the past. The life he knew before had been forsaken for service to the Lord. He had turned his back on the man he used to be and began a new journey with the Lord.

If we want to be what the Lord desires, the world must be crucified to us. We need to abandon old desires and follow the right path. It is impossible to live for God while still living among the world. Many today try to have it both ways. They want to enjoy fleshly pleasures and serve the Lord at the same time. This can never happen; we can't have it both ways!

If we want to be fruitful in our walk with Christ, we must forsake the world. There is nothing to look back at or return to. You will never reach spiritual fullness by trying to stay among the world. A life lived for Jesus requires that the world and its desires be crucified or put to death. God has called us to step out from among the world and be a separated people. Jesus desires and deserves those who are committed to living for Him, having forsaken the lusts of the world. Have you crucified the old, sinful desires?

IV. The Stability in the Cross (14)

By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. The old way had died out, and the old man was now dead also. The man Paul used to be no longer existed. He died there on the Damascus road. Paul was a man just as we are. I’m sure there were days when the flesh rose up within him. There were days when he desired the old paths. In those times, Paul had to crucify the flesh. There were times when he had to suppress the lusts of the flesh. Through the power of the cross, and the grace it affords, Paul was able to maintain his faith and walk with the Lord.

Galatians 5:24 (NKJV) “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Romans 6:6 (NKJV) “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”

The bodies we live in are our biggest obstacle. We often blame Satan and the world for our problems, but we are our greatest obstacle. To be all that we should be, we must learn to crucify the lusts of the flesh. We need to learn to overcome the temptations of this life. We will never succeed without a close walk with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

There is another point we must consider in this text. Paul was crucified to the world. He was no longer accepted by many who knew him before. The friends he once had had abandoned him. Living for the Lord will not earn you the favor of men. Some people will reject your walk with Christ. You might be labeled a fanatic or “too religious” by others.

We can't expect the world to accept the life we live. Their lives haven't been transformed by the cross of Christ. They don’t understand our desire to live for Him and refuse the lusts of the flesh. If you're determined to live for the Lord, you might as well expect some “friends” to abandon you! As believers, our stability is in Christ alone, not through acceptance or affirmation from others.

Conclusion: Those who do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior would not be thankful for the cross. They may accept it as a historical fact, but have not been transformed by Christ’s atoning work on it. I am truly grateful for the cross and all it offers. Not only did our Lord provide the means of salvation on the cross, but He also provided everything we need to live in a way that pleases Him! The significance of the cross cannot be overstated. Our relationship with Christ is the only thing we can boast about in this life.

Have you experienced transformation through the power of Christ? Do you personally know Him as your Savior? What are you relying on for acceptance by God and for the hope of eternal life? Christ is the only way to salvation and a sanctified life. Are you grateful for the cross? If not, I encourage you to answer the Lord’s call today!