cheekysharon.

What in the world does he mean when he says ‘boast only in the cross’? Here’s what I think it means— for the Christian, all other boasting should be a boasting in the cross.

In other words, boast only in the cross means, bring all other boasting under that boasting and make that boasting expressed through this boasting. Now what in the world is that, what does that mean? When Christ died, he purchased for sinners every thing they enjoy that is not part of their condemnation. We are sinners all. The only thing everybody deserves is damnation.

That’s all
we
deserve.

Therefore, every beat of your heart, every sight with a wholesome eye, every word sung to the Lord, every movement of a strong arm, every step taken with healthy legs, every word heard with a healthy eardrum, every friend at your side, every word that you can read, every joy that springs in your heart is a blood bought gift which you would not have — had he not died.

Therefore, if you boast in one of these things, if you glory that you have eyes, glory that you have ears, glory that you have hands, glory that you can sing, glory that you have friends…it is a glorying in and a boasting in the cross- because He bought them for you on the cross. That’s the meaning of boast only in the cross.

Let every legitimate pleasure and every pain that God turns for your good become an occasion for glorying in the cross- by which they were purchased for you.

Listen to the sermon here. (Boasting only in the cross- John Piper)
or read the chapter here in Don’t waste your life .
or download the whole book here.

What an awesome reminder of how gracious God is to undeserving people like us. I typed this out myself while listening to it because I want everybody to hear this!!! Listen to it, read it. I hope it challenges you and encourages your heart and changes your life the same way I hope it does to mine.

Give thanks- rest, sleep, naps, coffee, productive times, chicken soup, friends, patience, safety, health, fellowship, another day to be young and alive and the cross of Christ that purchased all of these things for me to enjoy.