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May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
“Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ my Lord. All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.” (Isaac Watts, When I Survey The Wondrous Cross) This past Easter, the words of Isaac Watt’s hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross came alive in my heart. I have nothing good on my own, and what I thought I had to brag about, I must hold in open hands and give them to my Father. I was nothing when Jesus found me, but because of His blood, I am an adopted daughter. There was nothing that I could do to earn this adoption, and so I have nothing to brag about in being a child of the King of Kings. All of my pride should be in the cross of Christ, soaked in His crimson blood, flowing to cover my sins. Everything I thought I had in my favor, all of my good works, they are all as Isaiah says “as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Who can boast about a pile of filthy rags? Why do I hold my filthy rags near to my heart and brag about them, instead of casting them down as the idols that they are and glorying in the cross? Because my filthy rags are comfortable. They are the symbols of my own good, and I see them as worthy. But, when I see them for what they are, they are repulsive to me. The songs I sing to showcase my voice, the piano pieces I play to show that I’ve practiced, and even the times I try to appear “super humble” or “super Christian”, each is a rag clutched to me, needing to be burned.
Father God, I have my bundle of rags, and you know each one. Break down the strongholds that my righteous acts have built in my heart. Humble me, even though it hurts. Help me to find my glory in You and the blood of Jesus. Amen.
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