As Paul closes his letter to the Galatians in Galatians 6:11–18, he leaves us with a powerful contrast between boasting in the flesh and boasting in the cross of Jesus Christ. The question for us is simple but searching: What do you boast in?

Throughout Galatians, Paul defended his apostleship, taught justification through faith in Christ, and urged Christians to use their freedom properly by sowing to the Spirit rather than the flesh. In these final verses, he turns our attention to what we value, what we seek to impress others with, and ultimately where we place our glory.

Some in Galatia wanted Gentile Christians to be circumcised. Paul exposed their motives: they wanted to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ, and they wanted something in the flesh to boast about. Yet they were inconsistent because they themselves did not keep the whole law.

We saw that inconsistency earlier in Galatians 2 when Peter withdrew from eating with Gentile Christians because he feared those of the circumcision. His actions were not straightforward in light of the truth of the gospel. Instead of standing firm for what was right, he let concern about what others thought influence his behavior.

We need to examine ourselves for the same danger. Are we overly concerned with what other people see and think about us? Do we change our behavior because we are afraid of ridicule for serving Christ? Do we seek attention through our appearance, possessions, religious titles, positions, or accomplishments?

Jesus warned about this attitude in Matthew 23. The scribes and Pharisees performed their works to be seen by men. They wanted prominent places, special greetings, and impressive titles. They valued outward recognition over humble service. Jesus instead taught that the greatest among us should be a servant.

Our Christianity should never become an outward performance designed to impress people. First Timothy 2:9–10 and 1 Peter 3:3–5 remind us not to make outward appearance our focus. Godliness should be demonstrated through the life we live and the good works we do.

Paul chose something entirely different to glory in. In Galatians 6:14, he declared, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The cross was Paul’s glory. Some considered the preaching of a crucified Christ foolishness, but Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. The cross became the focus of his ministry because Christ changed his entire life.

Galatians 2:20 describes that transformation: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” When Paul obeyed Christ, his priorities changed. The world no longer held the place in his life that it once had. He belonged to Christ.

The same transformation must take place in us. Galatians 6:15 teaches that what ultimately matters is not circumcision or uncircumcision, but becoming a new creation. Christianity is not about displaying an outward religious sign while remaining unchanged within. When we come into Christ, we put away the old life and begin living by faith in the Son of God.

So what are we boasting about?

Jeremiah 9:23–24 warns us not to glory in wisdom, strength, or riches. Those are the very things people are often tempted to use as measures of importance. Instead, if we glory, we should glory in knowing and understanding the Lord. First Corinthians 3:21 likewise warns us not to boast in men. Our boast belongs in Christ and in what God has done for us.

When the cross becomes our boast, our priorities change. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 that we must seek first the kingdom of God. We seek to glorify God with our hearts, with our bodies and spirits, through our good works, and even through the suffering we may endure because we belong to Christ. We do not have to be ashamed of the gospel or shape our Christianity around gaining others’ approval.

Paul could say that he bore in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus. He had suffered because of his commitment to Christ, but he remained faithful. He was not looking for something in the flesh that would make him impressive in the eyes of others. His boast was in the transforming power of the cross.

That leaves us with the same choice.

In what do you boast today?

Are you building your life around what impresses people—your wisdom, strength, wealth, appearance, position, or reputation? Or has the cross of Jesus Christ become the center of your life?

As Galatians closes, we are reminded to stand fast in the liberty Christ has given us and to continue sowing to the Spirit rather than the flesh. The grace of Jesus Christ belongs to those who faithfully heed His Word and continue walking with Him.

So where do you stand today? If Jesus returned now, what would you hear Him say? Would you hear, “Well done,” or would you hear that He does not know you?

Do not wait until it is too late to answer that question. Make your life right with God, change your priorities, seek His kingdom first, and live so that your greatest boast is never in yourself or in what the world can see.

May our boast always be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.