373. GAL 6:14. THE CROSS OF CHRIST
Gal_6:14. The Cross of Christ
"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."’97Gal_6:14.
By the cross of Christ is not meant the mere wood on which he was crucified. It is superstition, and not piety, which is strengthened by handling and contemplating crucifixes. Neither have we the least authority in the word of God for using or venerating the sign of the cross. By the cross the apostle refers to the sufferings and death of the Redeemer’97that death by which atonement was made for the sins of the world. To glory signifies to boast -’97to delight. Three propositions will place the subject of the text in its fulness before us.
I. Those Things highly prized by Others, were despised by the Apostle.
II. That which was treated with the greatest possible Contempt, was the Object of the Apostle’s Glory.
III. The Apostle had the highest possible Reasons for glorying in that Object.
I. Those Things highly prized by Others were despised by the Apostle.
There is an obvious tendency in the human breast to boast of something else than God.
(1) The Jews boasted that they were the children of Abraham. So might the apostle; but he did not. Pious ancestors will not avail, unless we possess their virtues and excellences.
(2) The Pharisees boasted of their great superiority over others: they were those separated ones; the peculiarly holy of the people. Paul, in his ignorance, no doubt gloried in this; but when he was enlightened by the gospel, the spirituality of the law and his own sinfulness were made manifest. Spiritual pride and glorying is monstrous in the sight of the Lord. Who can stand in the Divine presence? Who be justified when he judges? Now "less than the least," &c. Christ now all, and Paul nothing.
(3) Men boast of their learning and talents. So might the apostle; but he did not. With regard to his education, it had been under the distinguished Gamaliel. He possessed a mind of the highest order, yet of these he did not boast.
(4) Men boast of their civil distinctions and immunities. And so might Paul. Besides being exalted as a zealous and distinguished Pharisee, he was a Roman citizen; yet, however others might exult in these things, Paul did not. He cared no for wealth or worldly honors; all these he counted but as dross and dung for Christ. We proceed to show,
II. That which was treated with the greatest Contempt was the Object of the Apostle’s Glorying.
Every thing connected with Christianity was hateful and odious, both to Jews and pagans. "We preach Christ crucified," &c. In the estimation of the people,
(1) The person and rank of Christ were contemptible.
(2) His doctrines were so’97humility meekness, and mercy.
(3) His condescension was so. The minister of the poor and of the vile.
(4) The universality of his Gospel was so, especially to the Jews. Hence, when he referred to the widow of Sarepta, and to Naaman, they tried to cast him headlong, &c.
(5) His disciples and preachers were so. Fishermen, &c.
(6) But most of all his cross. In this his reputation and station in life were assailed. He now became as a slave, &c. His character was vilified; ranked with malefactors.
Hence his cross everywhere was a stigma upon his followers; and it has been so everywhere and to this day, that the carnal mind has hated and despised his cross. Yet this was the apostle’s object of supreme love and glorying. "Yea, doubtless," &c. He wrote and preached about it everywhere; and this leads us to observe,
III. The Apostle had the highest possible Reasons for glorying in that Object.
From these reasons we must select the more interesting and prominent. Let us look then at the cross of Christ; and,
1. We see the curse removed from our guilty helpless world.
God "sent him not to condemn," &c. "The Father sent the Son," &c. But how did he redeem it? How roll away the black cloud of the divine displeasure? How? By becoming a "curse for us." He was tried and sentenced, and endured the painful death of the cross; he stood in the place of the transgressors; "he suffered the just," &c.
2. All the blessings of salvation flow from the cross.
Now let us trace the great and glorious blessings of salvation to their source.
(1) There is pardon. "In whom we have redemption," &c. Col_1:18. "It behooved him to suffer, that repentance," &c. Hence in the supper, "This is the New Testament in Christ’s blood for the remission of sins." Without shedding of blood no remission See Rom_5:8, Rom_5:9.
(2) There is peace. The heart in a pacified state, reconciled to God. This also comes to us through the cross. "Having made peace." Col_1:20, Col_1:21.
(3) There is sanctification or holiness. How are we to be healed and cleansed? It was predicted, "In that day a fountain," &c. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth," &c. "Who loved us and washed us from our sins." "These have washed," &c.
3. The cross of Christ furnishes us with our only plea in prayer, and is the only way of access to God.
The way to the holiest is by the blood of Christ. Then what is the great argument which renders prayer effective? It is the finished work of Christ upon the cross. Here the covenant of peace was ratified; here all the fulness of salvation was obtained; here all the promises are made over to believers. There had been no throne of grace, no mercy, nor hope, but for the death of Christ. The sinner would have had law, and justice, and holiness and truth all against him.
4. The cross of Christ is the great incentive to the love and service of God.
"We love him because," &c. Nothing can soften the heart if this fail. The love of Christ enkindles ours, &c. Here we feel we are not our own, for we are bought, &c.; give ourselves back to God.
5. The cross of Christ is the only constraining power to induce us to exercise love and mercy to our fellow-men.
A sense of our obligations to Christ for his love and mercy to us, will fill us with compassion to our fellow-men. We cannot be revengeful, haters, malevolent if we are the disciples of the cross. We shall imbibe the spirit of the Saviour, who exclaimed, "Father, forgive them."
6. The cross of Christ is the great instrument of the believer’s triumphs.
How does he overcome the flesh? "I am crucified," &c. How the world? "By which the world," &c. How Satan? "Above all, take the shield of faith," &c. Faith in the cross. It was the death-blow to his hopes. Satan was spoiled on the cross, and flies before it. How death, the last enemy? Why by the cross, "Christ has died." O death! I fear thee not. Christ has overcome thee, &c. "O death! where is thy sting?"
7. The cross of Christ shall raise the world from the ruins of the fall.
It is God’s great spiritual machine, to shake the heavens and the earth. "To overturn," &c. "If I be lifted up," &c., It is the wood cast into the bitter waters sweetening the streams of the world. God’s standard shall never be taken down till the battles of the Lord’s anointed shall have obtained universal triumph and universal glory.
8. The cross of Christ shall be the subject of the song of the redeemed forever.
In heaven it will be as the tree of life, &c. "Worthy the Lamb," &c. We shall probably forget science, and literature, and commerce, &c., but study the mysteries of he cross forever.
Application
1. Have you experienced the saving power of the cross? Have you fled to it?
2. Do you glory in it? These are the evident signs. A reception of the doctrines of the atonement as the great cardinal truths of Christianity. A holy delight in contemplating the mysteries of redeeming love. A grateful devotedness of yourselves to his service and glory. A giving all the glory of salvation to Jesus, &c.
3. The rejectors of the cross must perish. No other Saviour, nor remedy.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS