This self-glorifying boasting is the enemy of the cross. It’s the human heart trying to build a spiritual resume when confronted with its own sinfulness.

Every step of our salvation from justification by faith, sanctification by a cooperation between us and the Holy Spirit and glorification by no cooperation at all is such a humbling experience.

Paul realized, as Jesus appeared to him in heavenly glory that he had been completely wrong about Christ.

Essential to Paul’s new understanding of the cross was the proper understanding of himself. He knew that in himself he deserved the wrath of God.

Yes, Paul does boast of many things, but he would say, "Any good right holy boasting that I do would not even be possible for me if it were not for the cross."

What are some Biblical facts on the question, "What do I truly DESERVE?"
1) I’m a SINNER. I have violated God's holy law.
2) God is just, righteous and holy. He will punish sin with perfect WRATH.

The cross tells us that in ourselves we all deserve to be there right now. And that's the key to understanding, "May I never boast in anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

And so, we can take this idea and apply it to two main categories, all the blessings we’ve received from God, and then the hard things or afflictions that God measures out to us as a loving father and uses for your good.

How can we look at our blessings?
1) PHYSICAL blessings
2) RELATIONSHIP blessings