Lent
God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14 NKJV
The first is “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” On that cross Jesus accomplished the payment for all the sin of the world by His death and thus gave the gift of eternal life freely to all who are led to trust in Him alone. It is this teaching in which all Christ-believers “glory”. We glory in this great substitution: our sin imputed to the innocent Jesus. We glory in it because we have trusted our souls to it for all eternity. The death of Christ on a cross, alone, will put away sin. Those who glory in it have resolved to drive sin out of their lives.
The second crucifixion mentioned here is “the world has been crucified to me.” “The world” is the same one that crucified Jesus, its Savior, its God. The world is blind and did not know its God when He came to save it from its sins. We are told “this is the 21 st century!” and thus should put much stock in “public opinion”, “popular beliefs” and “the spirit of the times.” But by crucifying its God, the world has shown that its judgment and opinion is a poor thing. We should follow God and His Word, and let the world be a crucified thing to us. Christ-believers are not governed by the world’s spirit, do not seek the world’s approval, and do not fear the world’s threats. We should tell the world the truth, sacrifice for our neighbor’s good, but not ask the world to tell us what to believe.
The third crucifixion mentioned here is “I to the world.” Christ-believers find that they are often crucified by the unbelieving world for their belief in Jesus and the Bible. They get the cold shoulder. Old friends become open enemies. Even in their own families they may have foes. However, if others reject you, you are bearing your crucifixion in your poor, humble way, after the manner of Christ Himself.
Lord Jesus, help me to take up my cross daily and follow Thee. Amen.