Verse Text: “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.”
The world bombards us almost constantly with messages that compel us toward success, stuff, status and image-consciousness causing a real battle with our values. When the world wins the battle, we will often find that what we most highly value in life is “self.” And when self wins, we tend to order our world around what makes us feel good – our possessions, the accolades we do or don’t receive, the position we seek to attain, the recognition we crave… because all of these things, if not brought under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, can feed the ugliness of “self” that stands in stark contrast to the abundant, Spirit-filled life God wants for each of us.This is why I wrote the song “In The Cross Alone I Glory.” I don’t know about you, but I fight this battle daily, and I need a prayer I can pray during those times when my flesh desires attention or recognition. Those times when I need to remember what is really important in life. I need to ask myself often “What is it that I glory in – Christ and His work on the cross on my behalf - or myself?” That’s a question we all need to ask. I know I’m not alone in this battle – because so many of Paul’s words in the New Testament speak to his struggle in the same areas – and where he went to find LIFE. So much of this song’s lyrics are taken right from Paul’s words, especially in 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Philippians. This song’s title is taken primarily from Galatians 6:14 where Paul says: “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.” The context here at the end of Galatians 6 is those “works” that we might boast in for giving us a greater standing in the eyes of God. Something that we “do” to gain God’s approval – or even closer to this context, to gain the approval of those around us. However, Paul says very clearly that none of these works (in this case, circumcision) counts for anything, but only the work Christ performed for us on the cross. Paul will not boast, or “glory” in, anything but the Cross of Christ: the forgiveness, mercy and grace we received when Christ died for our sins.
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Is there something in your life that is causing you to glory in something other than the cross of Christ? Take a moment to think about what it might be. Write it down.Now, confess it to the Lord - and claim the prayer of this song’s chorus over your relationship with the Lord: “In the cross alone I glory
Nothing of my own to give
Only that which Christ has offered
For my soul that I may live.” The cross meant death to Christ, but it means LIFE to us. I have nothing of my own to give Him. The only thing I have of any value to give to the Lord is my redeemed and dependent life, bought by the blood of Christ on the cross! And in living out this truth, we find the abundant life that He desires to give each of us. The first verse lyric says this: “In the cross alone I glory
Recognition laying down
Greatest treasures count as worthless
Standing next to heaven’s crowns.” Read Philippians 3:7-11. In verses 2-6, Paul sets up the case for why he might be able to boast, or glory, in who he is and what he’s done. But in vv. 7-8, He says: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
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