The apostle Paul had a love for the Law, his own virtue, and the Jewish people so when God separated him unto the gospel to reach the gentile, to preach salvation apart from the Law, and that all our works are as filthy rags, imagine what havoc it caused in Paul.  He had to preach a gospel of faith and go against the Mosaic tradition of his fathers.  For me I knew when God separated me to the gospel it meant death to the natural world that I had come to love.  From literature to philosophy to sports to music to personal gain and achievement, all were counted as dung to gain Christ and be found in him not having my own righteousness but the righteousness that comes by faith.  The experience of the cross crucified me unto the world.  Not an easy thing by any means.   

            When the disciples were commissioned to heal the sick and cast out devils and they were successful in the endeavor, Jesus told them not to rejoice in that but only that their names are written in heaven.  Do not glory in power,.  Do not glory in success.  Do not glory in status.  Glory in the cross. Glory in Christ crucified.   We have a part of the church which preaches a gospel of prosperity and success.  It takes glory in numbers and wealth and reputation and status.  Jesus tells us not to glory in that.  Glory in the cross.  Otherwise you are prone to carnality and the flesh and the world and the devil.     For the northern tribe of Israel where wealth was prevalent, there was greater sin and the devil was more prominent and successful.  Preaching was harsh and severe.  In Judah the southern kingdom, an agricultural and cattle country, the prophets like Isaiah and Micah also preached against sin but there was always an undercurrent of mercy and forgiveness.  Unless Christ crucifies you to the world you are not free from the snare of the devil. Paul also says in Galatians chapter two that he is crucified with Christ nevertheless he lives and he lives by faith.  As Christians we too must be crucified and learn to live by faith.  If we do, if we glory in the cross and not in mammon, we will reap a harvest for God.  That harvest will be achieved, not by promising the world and the deceitfulness of riches, but one of dying to the world and living for God. Our faith should build character not a hefty bank account. 

            God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Amen