Why We Need the Book of Galatians – Boasting and Worship

This is part 4 of a 4 part series.  Click these links for the rest: part 1, part 2, part 3

In his book, Reflections on the Psalms, C.S. Lewis said, “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.”

The completion and fulfillment of anything we delight in is found in praising that thing.  When we truly love and cherish something the appropriate response is an overflow of exultation.  This response is not only appropriate, but it actually deepens our enjoyment and delight.  Here’s another way to phrase a similar thought, “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.”  (Galatians 6:14 ESV)

We need this study through the book of Galatians, because we need to remember our true boast; the cross of Christ, and thereby fuel our worship of Him.  Boasting is worship.  If you’re boasting in athletic prowess, income potential, knowledge, sense of humor, or anything else, you are worshiping (or attributing worth) to that thing.  The book of Galatians helps us to rightly place our boast, not in anything of ourselves, but in the God who is worthy of all honor and praise. 

We don’t just need Jesus to justify us before God, but we will need his justifying grace a thousand years into eternity.  You will never stand before God by your good works, but only by His grace.  Galatians helps us remember this and fuels our hearts for worship and causes us to realize that grace will always be amazing.  If we are not seeing grace as amazing it’s not because it isn’t amazing, it’s because we aren’t seeing the beauty of God’s grace rightly in it’s simplicity and power.  If your heart isn’t driven to worship, if you’re feeling dry, you can nonetheless remember the goodness of God to the praise of His glorious grace.  We need the book of Galatians because every one of us is susceptible to the same dangers the Galatian church experienced.

I hope you’ll commit your time, thoughts, and heart to marinating in the great encouragement and challenge that God has for us through the book of Galatians.  See you Sunday!