A quote from Piper’s blog today quoting Jonathan Edwards echoes Paul’s deep longing to express that the only thing he has to boast in is the cross (Galatians 6:14).
So, from Piper today:
Outside the Bible I have never read anything more devastating to the impenetrable permutations of pride than the section in Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections titled, “Sign #6, Gracious affections are attended with evangelical humiliation.” It ends with one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. Few paragraphs fill me with longing like this one:
All gracious affections that are a sweet odor to Christ, and that fill the soul of a Christian with a heavenly sweetness and fragrancy, are broken hearted affections. A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble broken hearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires. Their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable, and full of glory, is a humble broken hearted joy, and leaves the Christian more poor in spirit; and more like a little child, and more disposed to a universal lowliness of behavior.
When we live a life humbled by the reality of the cross, where everything that seemed worthy about us died with Christ, we have nothing left but to find meaning in humbly accepting the adornment of worth and satisfaction that comes from knowing Christ. Outward appearances (Galatians 6:12) clothes, hair, suits, ties, jeans, shoes, circumcision (as in Paul’s day), and whatever else would deem you cool, uncool, or righteous by others matter none. There is no “Sunday’s Best”. There is no Sunday’s worst. Because, without the clothing of Christ’s righteousness, we would be left cold, naked, and blind–attempting to warm ourselves with the foolish pride that accompanies a boasting heart.