January 31 | Galatians 6:14 & 17
- Todd Marti
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
Reflection:
Countercultural
By Todd Marti
“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.”
***
“. . . I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Galatians 6:14, 17 (NIV)
These statements from Saint Paul call us to an intensely countercultural world view. That becomes evident when we consider the Greek underlying them and the context in which they were written.
They call us to “boast” in the cross. The Greek word translated as “boast” means to exult, vaunt, speak loudly of, and the cross was something that, at that time, was an object of horror, revulsion, and disgust. They call us to be “crucified,” to the world, and to crucify something meant to utterly destroy its power. The Greek word translated as “mark” meant to have a brand or tattoo identifying one’s master, much like a steer’s brand identifies its owner. In short, those statements called believers to boldly adhere to a belief system that was viewed as foolishness by the wider world. See 1 Corinthians 1:23-31. See also, Galatians - resisting a compromised Gospel.
So what does that look like in our time? Several things come to mind.
Jesus taught and perfectly exemplified humility, and was the embodiment of scripture that consistently condemns pridefulness. Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 14:7-11; John 1:14; Wisdom Principles--God Loves Humility and Hates Pride. Our culture exults those who exult themselves. We should not, and should reject those who do.
Jesus is truth and the embodiment of scripture that consistently condemns lying. John 14:6; John 1:14; Wisdom Principles--No Lying. Our world is numb to blatant and repeated lies. We should not be.
Jesus tells us to love those who do us wrong and to forgive. He and the scripture he embodies tell us to do good to those who do us wrong. Matthew 5:38-48; John 1:14; Wisdom Principles--How to Deal With Those Who Do You Wrong. Our culture stews in grievance and revels in revenge. We should break that toxic cycle.
Jesus and the scripture He embodies tell us to welcome strangers and to recognize their inherent dignity as human beings. Matthew 25:31-46, especially vv. 35, 38, 43, 45; John 1:14; Wisdom Principles--Don't Discriminate Against Foreigners Our culture is demonizing and abusing them. We should support them.
Will that be hard? Yes, at times. Does scripture demand it? Yes, all the time. But do we want to buy into a world system that is so clearly at odds with what Jesus taught? No. We must therefore crucify that system’s hold over us and boldly demonstrate our allegiance to Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord, draw us to you and what you desire, even—especially—when the world goes in other directions. Give us the strength to follow Jesus' way. We ask this in the name of Him who created and sustains everything, Jesus the Christ.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TODD MARTI
I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.
Whew! This is difficult!