Jack County Cowboy Church

Nobody likes a boaster or bragger. Bragging is self-centered. It shows that we think we’re better than others. When we brag, we’re obsessed with ourselves and our accomplishments. But we all do it. Parents brag about their kids. Athletes brag about their awards. Students brag about their grades. Paul boasted too. But what made his bragging unusual was that he boasted about something completely outside himself, the cross of Christ. He was obsessed with Jesus and his work on the cross. Paul had many things that he could brag about, such as his heritage and his careful obedience to the law. But he realized that the cross of Christ was his only real reason to brag. Only that could give him eternal life. If we’re looking for something to brag about, let it be the cross of Jesus. The cross marks a new beginning for us with God. It’s where our sins were put to death. It’s where our forgiveness was secured. It sets a new direction for our life with new pleasures, passions, and pursuits. A life lived for God. When our boast is in the cross and what Jesus accomplished for us there, we’ll have a good start at staying near the cross. Let that be your prayer: “Jesus, keep me near the cross.”