Boasting Only In Jesus (Gal. 6:11-18)
Today, we’ll wrap up our time in the book of Galatians. We’ve spent the last year walking through this book verse by verse. And throughout these pages, we’ve seen this idea over and over: there are only two ways to live. Two and only two.
We either live by works and serve our pride. Or we live by grace and pursue His glory. Here’s what that looks like. We try to do all the right things and none of the wrong. We point to our scoresheet, our grade card, and we say, “Look! I’m good enough. Celebrate me.” Or we point to the cross of Jesus. We raise our hands toward our resurrected Lord, and we proclaim, “You alone are good. Thank you, Jesus!”
We see these two ways so clearly in these concluding words, verses 11 through 18. And we’ve seen them throughout this letter Paul wrote to this church in Galatia. False teachers have infiltrated that body of believers. And they’ve sold this idea to those Christians that by going back to the Old Testament law they could prove themselves to God.
Paul writes this church he loves so very much trying to wake them up. He desperately wants them to live and even lead in the way that God intends and is truly best for them. He wants this church - and God wants us - to give up all efforts to try to impress God and others and to rest in the work of Jesus alone.
Resisting Jesus
Let’s dive into the passage. We first see the path of resisting Jesus. Paul is again talking to those disciples in Galatia. He’s telling them, “Look at those people who have your ear. Do you really want to live like that?”
Well, how are those teachers living? What does resisting Jesus look like? Posing, first of all. Verse 12 says: “It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised.” Remember, those religious leaders there are saying to these Gentiles, these non-Jews, “To be good Christians, you first have to be good Jews.” And they are trying to convince them it means following the food laws, keeping the national festivals, and yes, being circumcised. But what’s their motivation? “To make a good showing.” Paul says even more in verse 13: “They desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.”
Here’s the point: their keeping of the laws - like circumcision - and their recruitment of others to keep the laws with them - was all about making themselves look good and giving them something to boast about.
Resisting Jesus means a life of posing. Trying to keep up appearances. Living out the true meaning of the word hypocrite - being a stage player, an actor, to those around you. Scrambling to cover up your nakedness with fig leaves.
And in case you’ve not tried it, that doesn’t work well. You might cover up some important things for awhile, but you’re still naked. In the first part of verse 13, the apostle states, “For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law.” Yeah, they may have kept that rule. But there were lots of others they weren’t keeping at all - especially the command to love. We have to be honest with ourselves. We all fall so short.
But they’re not just posing here. They’re second cowering. Do you see that? Verse 12 says why they’re trying to push this off on their friends - “in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” If they let it all go and just trust Jesus, their Jewish friends would hate them. But not only that, their Gentile peers would also give them grief. Clinging to Jesus - and what He came to do - would bring hate - from all sides. And you know, that’s the same thing for us.
Our religious friends will tell us, “Yes, trust in Jesus, of course. But you also have to vote this way and dress this way and always do this and certainly none of that." If we say, “I’m justified by Christ alone,” we’re going to get flak. Because it threatens their house of cards.
Our irreligious friends, on the other hand, will also give us trouble. They’ll tell us to choose our own way. And say talking about sin is dumb. That we don’t need Jesus. Either way we turn, people will resist Christ and His cross. And we can choose to cower. And continue to pose. But that’s tragic.
Maybe you’re like me. You spend too much time on Facebook and Instagram. Have you really thought about what’s going on there? I grew up in the 80s. I grew up with the iconic “Rock ‘em, Sock ‘em Robots” game. I think we had nightmares about robots attacking us. But none of us saw what was coming today. Have you thought about how we’re getting owned by robots online? Why does everything we read on Facebook confirm our biases and get us really angry? That’s what it’s supposed to do. The bots are sucking us in. We’re getting played by algorithms - whatever those are. Into this comparison game - that leads to posing and cowering.
What about Instagram? Do you ever look on there and get discouraged about your appearance? Or wish you could go on that vacation like them? Or see this ad for a product you suddenly can’t live without? And find yourselves suddenly really depressed? And longing for a better life? These devices that can be used for so much good easily pull us toward building an identity on other things than Jesus. They encourage us to resist what He offers us.
What does that path - of resisting Him - leave us with? Deep insecurity, right? Where we’re fixated on things on the outside and find ourselves really empty in here. Living by works. Serving our pride. That’s tragic. In resisting Jesus, we consign ourselves to a life of insecurity, of making comparisons, of posing and cowering. Of never feeling like we measure up. Friends, that’s not how we were made to live.
It’s hard to believe, but my daughter turns 16 in just over a week. She’ll be driving a hand-me-down Honda Accord. But when I came of driving age, I waited about a year. That’s what nerds do. And then I spent $750 to buy a 1974 Ford Mustang II. Now, before you think, “Wow, a Mustang,” google a Mustang II. Look at the pictures. It’s called #2 for a reason.
But just a few years later, when Amy turned 16, what did her daddy buy her, but a brand-new Mustang GT? That’s a real Mustang, by the way. Now if you look at her senior pictures, with her posing by that car, she looks like she was on an album cover. I say all this to point out who the geek was and who the popular kid was - if you didn’t know that already.
She likes to tell the story of the high school day that she woke up with some unwelcome acne on her forehead. She threw a baseball cap on her head, and headed off to school in her Mustang. She sat in that lunchroom - with her hat covering her forehead. She didn’t think anything about it. What happened the next day? Several other girls showed up wearing hats.
Now a few years before, I decided I was going to finally buy a pair of parachute pants. All the kids were wearing them. They were these ultra-thin, nylon pants with zippers and pockets everywhere. I really wanted to fit in. I just had to have some. I remember taking my money and picking some out with my parents up in Kansas City. I actually ended up picking out a matching outfit - black parachute pants with a black parachute shirt - both with some extra-bold, red accents. And I remember getting dressed and anxiously going to school the next day. And I quickly realized that I had way overdone it. And it completely backfired. I so much wanted to impress the cool kids. And I failed miserably.
There’s a way to live where you’re deeply insecure - trying to fit in, trying to not get left out. And there’s throwing on your cap and not really giving a rip. You know who you are. You can just be yourself. In the gospel of Jesus, we are offered a much better way.
Trusting Jesus
We second see the path of trusting Jesus. In Him, we experience just the opposite, right? Deep security. A peace on the inside. That springs out of what He’s done for us. And who we are in Him. We know we’re sinners. We know we need His help. We trust in Him. His perfect life of obedience is given to us. His sacrificial death on the cross forgives us completely. We’re fully accepted. It spells the end of a life trying to perform. It puts to death this need to measure up - before God, and before others, as well. That’s where this path of trusting Jesus leads.
Notice with me five things that flow out of this life. First, joy. Listen to the first half of verse 14 again: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Scholars say that Paul boasting there refers to what could be called “exulting.” Now we don’t use that word a lot. As Christians, we hear exalting, and we think about worship - about lifting up Jesus in our minds and hearts. Exulting has more of this idea of rejoicing in something - in a way that makes much of that thing. And here — that something is far greater than us.
When we come to understand what the cross of Jesus Christ offers, it brings deep, lasting joy. And as we rejoice in what He’s done - as we “boast” in Him - we bring Him glory. As John Piper puts it, God’s zeal for His glory and our quest for joy - they become one. The life of Jesus brings joy.
What else do we see? Second, freedom. That’s found in the end of verse 14. Hear it again: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” People today throw around this expression: “he’s dead to me.” Right? What do we mean? That person - what he thinks - what he demands - doesn’t affect me any more. It doesn’t control me. That’s the idea that Paul is communicating here, what God wants for us.
When he uses the word “world” here, it’s not like he’s saying, we don’t care about this globe - or the people who live on it. He’s not talking about hating or avoiding God’s creation. Not at all. Often the Bible uses the “world” to refer to this fallen, evil system that stands against God. Paul’s saying that this sinful world, that’s trying to pull him toward posturing, toward anxiety - it’s dead to him. And he’s dead to it. It no longer has power over him. He can throw on the hat and go to school. He can look at Facebook without turning into a troll-asaurus rex. He’s free. And that’s what the Lord offers us. Freedom from the bots, the bullies - the game entirely
Third, newness. Verse 15: “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but a new creation.” Paul’s not gonna get sucked into thinking he’s greater because he’s circumcised. And no one should get down because they haven’t undergone the procedure.
Neither of those things matter. Not rules that we keep or those we don’t keep. What matters, he says, is “a new creation.”
The Lord wants us to care about and care for what He has made. He wants us to enjoy His creation. He speaks through it. It should drive us to worship. It may be fallen now, but one day, God will make all things new. He’ll renew this world. He’ll restore it. All brokenness will be gone. That day is coming. And what a day it will be.
But even now, that new creation is breaking into time and space. One day, He’ll resurrect our bodies. We’ll be embodied souls for ever and ever with Him. But He’s giving life to our souls right now, if we believe. He’s making us new. From the inside out. Raising us from death to life.
That first way of living tries to go outside-in. But it never works. No true change happens. Paul Tripp says it’s like trying to staple apples to the branches of a tree. But Jesus changes us at the heart level - at our root. He turns us into a whole new plant - one that bears fruit for God. He gives us life. He makes us new.
Here’s a fourth thing Jesus gives: blessing. Check out the benediction, the prayer Paul gives in verse 16. “And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” He says, for all those who hear his words, and embrace this gospel, “peace” and “mercy” are theirs. They’re ours.
Peace with God, first of all. That division between the Holy One and sinners like us is taken away. And peace among us, as well. Jesus brings us together as one body by His blood. And even peace inside us comes from Him. The conflict in our souls is removed. In the glorious gospel, we have peace inside here.
For those who keep striving, who keep resisting, judgment awaits. Not just for the bad things we’ve done. Also for the good things we’ve tried to do to earn His favor. But for those who put down their firsts, and lay down their hammers, there is mercy. God’s mercy, His kindness, is given to us today. And we’ll receive it at the last day when we’re welcomed into His presence. Trusting in Jesus involves blessing - the “peace and mercy” of God.
Fifth, the Spirit, through Paul gives us something else in the gospel: belonging. He says, in verse 16 again: “peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” If you’ve been with us during this study, you might remember a theme that came through in chapter 3. In verse 9, the apostle says, “Those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” Further down that page, in verse 14, he says, “in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Finally, in verse 29, he says, “if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
This same idea comes through loud in clear in the book of Romans. What’s the Spirit saying? He’s saying, to these Gentiles - and that’s us, too - if you believe, you’re a part of the people of God. You’re a member of this new, greater Israel that God is forming from every tribe and tongue and nation.
So what’s another amazing blessing of the gospel? Being brought into this community of faith. Not just believing but belonging. Welcomed among God’s people, the church of Jesus. To this place where we can stop putting on a show. We can stop living in fear. We can throw away the fig leaves. We can be ourselves - clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We can be fully known and fully accepted. We can truly belong. Joy, freedom, newness, blessing, belonging. These are all beautiful gifts God gives us in the gospel. My wife would say - back then - even with all that swag - she didn’t have any of this. She was covering up hurt. The hat didn’t work.
What does this life trusting Jesus give us? Deep security. On the inside. In our hearts. Living by His grace. Seeking out His glory. It’s what God made us for. It’s what’s truly best for us. But to get there, we first have to give up. And turn from that other, futile life.
Immanuel Church in Nashville released a new worship album this week. They have these spoken interludes scattered throughout, and in one of them, Pastor T.J. Tims describes so well who God is and where He wants to take us.
“God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. No hidden agendas. No skeletons in the closet. Honesty is the atmosphere of God. And He’s inviting us in. So we all have a choice to make. We can be honest, or we can look impressive, but we can’t be both. We can hide in the dark and keep quiet about our sins and drift further into isolation, or we can walk in the light, where the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin. We can be known. All we have to lose is our impressiveness. All we have to do is to step out into the light of his holiness and let him do the rest. Our sin for his righteousness.” (TJ Tims)
Only Jesus enables us to live in a way that God intends and is truly best. But He’ll also enable us to lead in a healthy way. And that’s where I want to turn next.
Leading in the Gospel
Now Jeff said last week that he felt a bit awkward talking about how you should treat pastors as a pastor. Today, it’ll feel a bit strange, also, as I’ll talk about how leaders should serve while a leader. But, I’m looking out at people who are leaders in our church. I’m looking out at others who’ll no doubt one day be leaders in our church.
But also, if leadership is in big part influence, so many of you have far more of that than you realize. You’re leading offices or managing businesses or leading your children or heading up a group project. You have people looking at you, observing you, even if you don’t realize it. You’re having influence on those around you. And you can do that by works and for your pride. Or by grace and for His glory.
Now we don’t really know the status of these Judaizers as we now call them - these false teachers in this church in Galatia. But they are having some powerful influence there. And I want you also to see with me today two ways here to lead.
Using People
You first see the path of using people. Right? Isn’t that what those false teachers are doing? Verse 12 says they’re trying to get the Galatians to go along with circumcision so they can “make a good showing in the flesh” and so they would’t be “persecuted for the cross of Christ.” Verse 13 says their true desire was that they could “boast” in the “flesh” of those disciples in that church.
Here’s what can be so common in leadership. Surrounding yourself with people who do what you want. They make you feel validated. They give you credibility. You manipulate them. They make you look good. It’s leadership driven by deep insecurity. You go about using people. And in so doing, you’re harming people.
There’s a second path here we see, of serving people. Isn’t this what Paul is doing? Let’s go back to verse 11. “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.” The apostle here isn’t drawing attention to his graphic design skills. He’s not saying his hands are weak or that his eyesight is poor. This is Paul saying how important this conclusion is for them to hear. He’s grabbing the pen from his letter writer. He’s increasing the font. He’s putting it in bold letters. He’s appealing to His authority in their lives. They’ve abandoned the gospel. And they’re in danger.
Now authority is something we resist today. But it’s something given by God. And it’s for our good. Yes, it can be abused. But it doesn’t have to be. It’s one of God’s good gifts when those around us - leaders, yes, but even fellow members, also - tell us hard things when we get a little soft. When we do that, we serve. That’s what Paul is doing here.
Look also at verse 17. “From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Here we see Paul’s vulnerability. Don’t we? It’s like he’s saying, “Guys, can you stop doing this? Seriously? You’re killing me.” And he’s probably taking a bit of a dig at those Judaizers here. They’re talking about getting the circumcision marks. Paul has the marks of Jesus on his body - the scars that come from truly following Him and sharing Him with others.
He’s revealing His hurts, his suffering, his sorrow, to those Galatian Christians. He’s being vulnerable. Leaders don’t just say hard things when people get soft. They do all they can to stay soft when people are hard. They let themselves get close. And open up who they really are.
The answer to our fear isn’t to abandon authority. To reject it. It’s to have it in tandem with vulnerability. It’s easy for leaders to just want to embrace the authority part. Because vulnerability invites so much hurt. And it’s also easy for those following just to want a talking head. And not really want leaders to open themselves up. And when they do, you make them pay for it. But we’re all better off, if both of those things go together. Authority and vulnerability.
Andy Crouch talks about the interrelationship between these things in some of his writings. In the diagram, dictators, abusers, are in the top left - authority without vulnerability. The oppressed are in the bottom right - vulnerability without authority. In the bottom left are infants and children or maybe retired CEOs who move to islands somewhere.
The top right quadrant is the path of Jesus, where we serve well and help one another. We open our mouths and speak truth. We open up our lives and give away grace. We resist the urge of keeping distance from one another out of fear. We offer our presence to those around us in faith. We go, knowing that we’ll acquire scars. But we wear them like tattoos identifying us with Jesus - the one who gave everything for love.
Here’s where I want to leave this. In this day where authority is resisted. And in an age where people say they want vulnerability, but so often don’t, will you allow leaders to call you out? Will you allow pastors to call you in? Not perfect pastors. None of us are. Broken men calling out to broken people. Wounded men appealing to wounded people. Leaders who fall short themselves but really do want to serve.
Will you let them be in a relationship with you where they can not only say, “You’re about to destroy your life. Stop.” And also say at times, “You’re breaking my heart. Today, I feel so sad..”
What about with your fellow members? You’ve given them authority in your lives. To bring with them the authority of God’s word. Will you listen to them? And let them serve you? And will you welcome their weakness, struggle, and love them in it and through it?
And will you love those around you in hard ways? Lovingly calling out brothers and sisters when they stray? Will you take those risks, even if it hurts? Will you cast away the fig leaves? And let people see all of you? Or will you put up a front and live out of fear?
Let’s make tough decisions. Let’s have hard conversations. Let’s admit mistakes. Let’s hand out apologies. Let’s confess sin. Let’s seek out feedback. Let’s open up our lives to one another. And pour them out for Him. Let’s together continue to build a place where we don’t use each other, but we truly serve one another. Where we don’t harm but help.
Living and Leading by Grace
Again, there are two ways to live. We’ve seen them here in Galatians. But we see them all throughout the Bible. Even back in the very beginning. We live by works and serve our pride. Or we live by grace and pursue His glory. Adam and Eve, they could have reveled in God’s goodness and glorified Him forever and ever. Or they could choose to do things their way and get the glory themselves. They bought the serpent’s lies.
The nation of Israel had the same choice. Receive God’s best with gratitude in the land. Or go about things the way they thought best. Both the first humans and God’s nation chose the wrong path.
But Jesus descended from heaven and walked the road for us. He perfectly obeyed His Father. He always glorified Him. And then He took the path to the cross and died in our place - for those that lean back into our works and think too much about ourselves. If you and I trust Jesus, if we embrace this good news, we can have the security we’ve been talking about. And all this joy, freedom, newness, blessing, and belonging that God wants us to experience.
It’ll transform the way we live - along with the way we lead. We can boast in our hearts - as well as toward others - about what Christ has done. Like Jesus, we can speak with authority. And we can live with vulnerability. We can give up our lives - like we see Paul do here.
And we can live in the hope Paul gives us in this last sentence. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” Let’s pray.