In the Cross of Christ I Glory
BIBLE REFERENCE:

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.  This he said,
signifying what death he should die.
John 12:32-33

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us
which are saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock,
and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Corinthians 1:23

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Galatians 6:14

Sir John Bowring - Lyrics
1792 - 1872
Born: May 5, 1815, Shutesbury, Massachusetts.
Died: April 30, 1867, Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Ithamar Conkey - Composer
1815 - 1867
Born: October 17, 1792, Exeter, England.
Died: November 23, 1872, Exeter, England.
Buried: Exeter, England.
On his tomb­stone were the words from his famous hymn:
"In the Cross of Christ I Glory."
HYMN HISTORY:

John Bowring was born at Exeter in Devon, England, on October 17, 1792. He was considered to be one of the most remarkable men of his day as well as one of the greatest linguists who ever lived. He was a member of nearly every learned society in Europe. Before he was sixteen years of age he had mastered five languages without the aid of a teacher. It is said that he could converse in over 100 different languages before his death. He was a prolific writer on the subjects of politics, economics, and religion as well as the author of many poems and hymns, including the rather familiar missionary hymn, “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night.” Yet despite his many accomplishments, including thirty-six volumes of published works, John Bowring is known today primarily as the author of this simply stated hymn text. On his tombstone are inscribed the words of this hymn, “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.”

The writing of the tune in 1851 by Ithamar Conkey is also interesting. He as the organist and choir master at the Central Baptist Church of Norwich, Connecticut. One Sunday during the Lenten season of that year, Conkey was disappointed when only one choir member appeared for the morning service, a faithful soprano by the name of Mrs. Beriah S. Rathbun. Conkey was so displeased and irritated with his choir’s unfaithfulness that he left the service in disgust immediately after playing the prelude. That afternoon he thought with remorse of the service that he had left and recalled on of the hymns to have been used, John Bowring’s text, “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” sung to a dull and obsolete tune. Before the evening service Conkey composed a new tune for this text and named it after his one faithful choir member, Mrs. Rathbun. He confessed later that, “the inspiration that came to me at that moment was vivid contrast to my feelings at the morning service.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Paul writing to the Galatians warned the believers that the Judaizers were trying to impose upon them rules and laws that would cause them to think by the keeping of the Law they would glory in their own flesh.

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. Galatians 6:13

Paul describes them as making a fair show in the flesh.

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh. Galatians 6:12

What Paul was saying is that a proud, vain, and carnal heart, is content with only enough religion to keep up a fair show. We call that today our Sunday Church face. Not the face that our family sees the remainder of the week.

But in the next verse the apostle professes his own faith, hope, and joy; and that his principal glory was in the cross of Christ.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:14

Paul was not glorying in his own accomplishments as many do today. He was glorying in the Christ’s suffering and death on the cross, salvation by a crucified Redeemer.  By Christ, or by the cross of Christ, the world is crucified to the believer, and he to the world.

By whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14  

The more we consider the sufferings of the Jesus Christ, the less likely we are to love the things of this world.

Paul witnessed many crucifixions and witnessed the suffering that the victims experienced. He saw their faces and knew of their pain and the agony. Whether he was present at the crucifixion of Jesus the Bible doesn't say, but he certainly knew of it. Paul knew first hand the price Jesus paid on the cross for his sins.

The prophet Isaiah wrote:
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

There are people who believe to glory in the cross means wearing it as a piece of jewelry. The cross was an instrument of execution. If you had a loved one that was executed by hanging you would never think of wearing a noose on a chain around your neck to remember them by. Be sure you are glorying on the finished work of Jesus Christ and not the symbol of the cross. We are only to preach the cross and Him crucified.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 Corinthians 1:23

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
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