In the final message of our Galatians series, Pastor Jeff teaches from Galatians 6:11–18, where the Apostle Paul closes his letter with a powerful declaration: “Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Throughout Galatians, Paul has defended the true Gospel—the truth that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by religious works or our own accomplishments. In these closing verses, Paul brings the entire message back to the cross and gives us six reasons to boast in the cross of Jesus Christ.
The cross destroys our pride. At the foot of the cross, no one can say, “Look what I did.” Salvation is not something we achieve; it is something we receive through the grace of God.
The cross frees us from the approval of others. Our identity and worth are no longer determined by people’s opinions, recognition, or applause. In Christ, we belong to God, have been forgiven, and have been adopted into His family.
The cross changes what we live for. When Jesus becomes the center of our lives, everything else is rearranged around Him. Our time, resources, relationships, talents, priorities, and definition of success begin to reflect the Kingdom of God rather than the values of the world.
The cross gives us a new identity. Christianity is not simply behavior modification—it is spiritual transformation. Through Christ, we become a new creation, no longer defined by our sin but by what Jesus has done for us.
The cross gives us something worth suffering for. Following Jesus does not promise an easier life, but it gives our lives eternal purpose. Even through suffering, disappointment, and adversity, believers can continue to declare that Jesus is enough.
Finally, the cross positions us to live by grace. Grace saves us, sustains us, carries us, and changes us. Everything we have is ultimately a gift of God’s grace.
As Galatians comes to a close, Paul leaves us with a challenge that summarizes the entire letter: stop building your life around religious performance and build your life around Jesus. When everything else is stripped away, Christ and His cross are enough. The question is not simply what we believe about Jesus, but whether we have been made new—and, if we have, what are we spending our lives on?