Galatians 6:12-18 “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 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. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”

Text 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.”

Drawing the book of Galatians to a close, Paul magnifies the book’s central theme; circumcision or the cross! Does your confidence rest in the works of the flesh or in a work that is finished? Paul affirms his position, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross.” Paul boasts in but one thing and that is the complete and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary! But in addition to the rest of the cross, there are the results of cross. The end result of the cross is death! By means of “the cross of Christ” Paul has died to the summons of the world, “the world is crucified unto me.” A dead man has no appetite! Paul tells us “that our old man is crucified with him” (Romans 6:6), thus freeing us from being drawn to the things of the world. Paul died to the similitude of the world, I unto the world.” Paul is no longer part of the world through his death with Christ on the cross. Jesus said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). In the person of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary, Paul died to the world and the world died to Paul! It is in that truth and that transaction that Paul glories! In reference to Galatians 6:14, John Piper said, “The only place to boast in the cross is on the cross.” For many, Galatians 6:14 is an expression of truth; for Paul it was an experience of truth! You cannot express what you do not experience!