"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."–Galatians 6:14
It is in the suffering of Christ on the cross that the apostle desires to glory. And, no wonder, for when he thinks about Golgotha and there beholds the cross of Christ, then all things, as ground for boasting, flee away and the cross alone fills his heart and mouth with praises. There with an enlightened mind's eye he sees on the one hand God's spotless holiness, His unimpeachable justice, His eternal truth and on the other hand God's infinite love, His free grace and His boundless mercy complementing each other. O, what a glorious sight to behold, more beautiful than ever Adam saw in his state of rectitude. There he sees the great mystery, which the angels desire to look into, how God can and wills to be the God of a lost, poor, wretched and hell worthy sinner. There he sees with wonderment the fulfilling of the eternal council of God that was foretold by all the prophets that Christ should suffer; that Jesus of Nazareth should die on the cross. There he sees the fleeing away of all the shadows of the Old Testament worship and promises in the light of the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God. There he sees with glorious adoration the complete satisfaction of the divine justice, reconciliation for sin brought about, an eternal righteousness brought forth.
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