1238. The New Creation Is Aligned to the Cross of Christ

The New Creation Is Aligned to the Cross of Christ

"But far be it from me to glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal_6:14, A. S. V.).

In the 5th chapter of Galatians, studied in the preceding lesson, we found how vitally circumcision is set over against "the offense of the Cross."

In the 6th chapter, Gal_6:12 and Gal_6:13, we read that circumcision stands for a "fair shew in the flesh," and, for "glorying in the flesh;" in Gal_6:15, is our familiar text: "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."

It is very striking that Gal_6:14 which stands between these two statements says, "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." Therefore we thus judge:

1. Circumcision and uncircumcision are the enemies of the Cross. In the Book of Philippians, chapter 3, after the Apostle Paul had spoken of the circumcision, in Php_3:5, and of everything for which it stood; and after he had rehearsed in Php_3:7 how he had counted it all but loss as he reached out to win Christ and to be found in Him, he says: "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things."

One cannot discuss the new creation and leave out the story of the Cross, because the Cross is the basis of the new creation. But circumcision and uncircumcision are the sworn enemies of the Cross.

When Nicodemus asked Christ, "How can a man be born again?" among other things Christ said: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life." The new birth demands the Cross–circumcision denies it.

2. The new creation magnifies the Cross. The new creation does not only depend upon Calvary, but it glories in Calvary. Those who are circumcised "glory in the flesh," "glory in men," "glory in themselves," those who are born again glory in the Cross of Christ.

"In the Cross of Christ I glory,

Towering o'er the wrecks of time;

All the light of sacred story,

Gathers round its head sublime."

3. The new creation, suffers for the Cross. Those who are circumcised are circumcised lest they should suffer persecution for the Cross of Christ (see Gal_6:12).

It is so much easier to the flesh to follow the things which appeal to the flesh, please the flesh, and glory in the flesh.

In the new creation, the flesh is reckoned dead, it is denied and discountenanced. In the new creation the Cross is magnified, glorified, exalted. Thus the chosen path of the new creation is the path of suffering. Isn't it beautiful as the chapter we are studying closes (and with it the whole Book of Galatians closes), the Apostle Paul cries out: "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." The Greek word is "stigma"–I bear in my body the "stigma" of the Lord Jesus.

"I bear," says Paul, the stigma of Jesus Christ, and everyone who is of the new creation must bear the stigma of the Lord Jesus.

"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR