Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

Daniel? How would you explain Gal 6:14?

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Is this kind of "boasting" to be a testimony of Christ in our lives? If so, when is it appropriate to "boast"?

Agape
Hope

There is boasting in self, and a boasting in Christ, both are very different. One is of Holy Spirit in humility, giving honor too God's finish works in Christ Jesus, the other is in our own fleshly will, by works done in our flesh in meeting certain laws/commandments.

Matt.6:1 "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 6:2 Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.
6:3 But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, 6:4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 6:5 "When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 6:6 But you, when you pray, enter into your inner chamber, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 6:7 In praying, don't use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. 6:8 Therefore don't be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.

Paul was directed by Holy Spirit, moreover, he was in Christ, and Christ worked through him. The works Paul did, were done from Christ Jesus righteousness, which Paul had received as a son of God. Paul stated nothing good dwelt in him as a sinful man, moreover, that he was a vessel for God's purposes. If Paul boasted in these works of Christ, that is, in Christ Jesus death, which, works, meant his own sinful flesh was also dead in Christ on cross/torture stake, than it was proper boasting.

1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one lead you astray. He who does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you.

If a law is legislated by the government and than enacted makes it legal, but if a law is not enacted, or put through the proper channels, it is illegal. Christ Jesus being the last Adam, is God's legal means of redeeming the human race, no other law but the law of Christ, God accepts as a "good work". God Himself boasted in Chirst, so too speak, in His Son faithfulness in glorifying His name as the one legal work God has enacted to restore heaven and earth too Himself.

All other works outside of Christ are dead works too our Father, they are unauthorized illegal works, but why? Because they are not the source of life God has given too the human race ( the last Adam, Christ Jesus). Hence, such illegal works do is, simply, lead us into more death, even if they re supported by God's written word, the bible.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

In the book of Roman and most of the Greek scriptures we will find an increasing of weed-Christian's spouting up in works of law, deceiving themselve, and others by using God's word the bible; knowing the bible is a righteous, and good book, but failing to understanding Paul's position of being made righteous by the imperishable life he was indwelt with, Christ Jesus. This is the deception for so many today, using the bible doing a good work, but not being indwelt with the life of Christ, but instead producing works of their own will, and/or flesh. These works, are so often expressed and experienced on forums now days created division, and fights that have nothing to do with the works of Christ.

Ephesians 2:9 not of works, that no one would boast.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Colossians 1:29 for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.

Who will determine if a works is good in Christ, if it will stands forever, or if it is a work of ones own desires our fleshly will being destroyed, outside of Christ? God/YHWH! Is it is a work of Christ Jesus than it will be eternal; stored as treasures in heaven in Christ it cannot perish in the imperishable life of Christ Jesus. However, If it is of the sinful flesh being used to justify oneself as good, boasting it adds too God's, and Christ righteousness, it will perish as all green grass of human life fades like a flower only having a moment of loving kindness. A work of Christ Jesus is rare like a diamond, where as the works of flesh boasted in as belong to God and Christ are common stones found everywhere.

1Cor.3:7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
3:9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building. 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
3:11 For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. 3:12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;
3:13 each man's work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man's work is. 3:14 If any man's work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward. 3:15 If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
3:16 Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you? 3:17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are.
3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

Working of the flesh excited and feeds the mind of the flesh producing more weed Christian's, whereas, the works of Christ are very rare not exciting our flesh dead in him, but instead increases the Spirit of God in each others as brothers in Christ. These are the fruits are the good tree of life, Christ Jesus.

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

I hope these comments are helpful?