“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 avails anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
Galatians 6:14-15
Realizing and embracing this will always ensure we have the right perspective, priorities, purpose and pursuit.
Degrees and pedigrees mean nothing to Him Who holds everything in the hollow of His Hand; neither is He impressed with our bloodline, religious convictions and beliefs or what we do and don’t do.
He’s simply concerned about one thing:
Who’s our master? What’s our “heart-treasure”—i.e., that thing or person that captivates us? Why do we do what we do? Where’s our focus and is it temporal or eternal?
Tough questions, aren’t they?
Most assuredly they are.
And, their questions that must be answered lest we be “duped by the devil” and end up like Saul prior to his encounter with the Risen Lord on the Damascus Road.
He thought he was “somebody” prior to that day. He was “circumcised the eighth day. . .of the stock of Israel. . .of the tribe of Benjamin. . .a Hebrew of the Hebrews. . .as touching the Law: A Pharisee. . .concerning zeal: Persecuting the Church. . .touching the righteousness, which is of the Law: Blameless” (Phil. 3:5-6).
Yet, after meeting Jesus face-to-Face that day, he realized he’d really been dead while priding himself on keeping the Law (Rom. 7:7-11). And, it was only through his vital “Life-connection” with Christ, the Giver of Life, that he now “lived, moved and had his being” (Acts 17:28a).
So, let it be said again:
Almighty God is not impressed with our theological acumen or religious attainments; neither does He applaud our philanthropy or benevolent deeds when such are done for our glory or as an attempt to appease Him.
What pleases Him is when we “glory (Grk. ‘kauchaomai’—‘to vaunt, push forward, exalt, boast of, rejoice in, etc.’) in the Cross and the Christ.” How it pleases Him when we spend more time talking about what Jesus has done for us rather than what we’ve done for Him.
And, dear Pilgrim, the greatest way to do this is by living as a “new creation” where “old things are passed away and all things have become new” (II Cor. 5:17). Like demon-ridden Legion, we’re radically changed and now a bold witness of the One Who transformed us from the inside out (Lk. 8:26-39).
That’s what our lost-and-dying world needs to see and hear, Pilgrim. Truly, the greatest evidence of the Gospel is a changed life that’s sold out to the Savior. Is yours one of them?
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated November 11, 2010
