Glorying In The Cross
The Apostle Paul had a rich
choice of things in which he could have gloried. If he had remained among his
own people, he might have been one of their most honored rabbis. Certainly, he
might have boasted of his personal,
righteousness. He might have gloried in his unique apostleship. He had
revelations and visions uncommon, even to the apostles, these he could have
gloried in. This man suffered greatly for the cause of Christ He was a living
martyr, a perpetual self-sacrifice. He could have gloried in his sufferings. He
put aside all his works and privileges saying, "God forbid that I should
glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Brethren, you and I
should follow his example. Let us glory in the cross alone.
1. Why Did Paul Glory In the
Cross?
Paul gloried in the cross from a solemn and deliberate
choice. He had counted the cost, and resolved to place everything else on the
shelf in comparison with the cross. He pronounced anathema to any rival subject
to the naked, blood stained cross. There was good reason for this. He saw in
the cross the hienousness of human sin before God, and the vindication of
divine justice. In the cross he beheld the gracious display of God's love. To
this man the cross was the revelation of divine wisdom. Paul realized that the
cross was the full revelation of all the attributes of God, and the
accomplishment of full salvation for all believers.
2. How Did Paul Glory In The
Cross?
He trusted nothing but Christ blood redemption for the
pardon of his sin and the salvation of his soul. The cross became the center of
his life and ministry. He loved the doctrine of the cross and the crucified
Savior. Paul sacrificed everything to the cross. He lived and died by the
cross. Brethren, beware of any religion and any preaching in which there is not
much of the cross.
3. What Was The Result of
Paul's Glorying In The Cross?
The world to be a dead,
despised thing in the light of the cross. And to the world, Paul became a dead,
crucified men. He was an object of contempt to all those who place their
confidence in earthly pleasures, treasures, and honors.
Don Fortner