Verse 1
God did not call us
Because we were wise
Or gifted with riches and might
His chosen ones are
The weak in this world
Who hope in His all-saving name
That He might receive all the praise
Chorus
So I will boast in the Cross of Christ
And I will glory in Jesus
And His sacrifice
I will boast in the Cross of Christ
It is the power
It is the wisdom of God
And my great ransom
The Cross of Christ
Verse 2
Great is the mystery
Of God's sovereign ways
That flow from the depths of His grace
That He would give up
His one precious Son
To bear all the cost of my sin
Is a wonder I can't comprehend
Jesus, Your Mercy • The Glorious Christ Live
I Will Boast in the Cross Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"I Will Boast in the Cross" by Sovereign Grace Music is a profound song featured on their live album *The Glorious Christ Live*, released on May 5, 2020. It delves into foundational truths of the Christian faith, focusing on God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ and the appropriate response of believers. The song's message centers on the Cross as the focal point of God's power, wisdom, and grace, prompting a humble and grateful declaration of reliance solely upon it.
The opening verse of the song highlights the nature of God's calling, asserting that it is not based on human attributes like wisdom, wealth, or strength. Instead, it emphasizes that God chooses the "weak in this world" who place their hope in His saving name. This specific choice underscores the divine origin of salvation, ensuring that all ultimate praise belongs to God alone, as He actively selects those who would otherwise have no claim on His favor, thereby magnifying His grace.
The song then reflects on the "mystery" of God's "sovereign ways" flowing from the depths of His grace, particularly the incomprehensible act of giving His "one precious Son" to bear the full "cost of my sin." This sacrifice is presented not as a simple transaction but as a "wonder" that surpasses human understanding, pointing to the immense love and justice demonstrated at the Cross. It acknowledges the unfathomable depth of God's plan and the personal application of Christ's atonement for the believer.
The central declaration and recurring theme of the song is the resolve to "boast in the Cross of Christ" and to "glory in Jesus And His sacrifice." This contrasts with boasting in worldly achievements or self-righteousness. The chorus clearly articulates the profound significance of the Cross, identifying it as the "power," the "wisdom of God," and the believer's "great ransom." It serves as a powerful statement of faith, placing ultimate value and trust in Christ's finished work.
The themes explored within the song resonate deeply with various scripture passages. The idea of God choosing the weak finds parallel in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, which states that God chose the foolish, weak, low, and despised things of the world to shame the wise and strong, so that no one might boast before Him. The declaration that the Cross is the "power" and "wisdom of God" directly echoes 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 1:24. The concept of Christ's sacrifice as a ransom for sin aligns with verses such as Mark 10:45 and 2 Corinthians 5:21, describing Him becoming sin for us. Ultimately, the song's title and central theme of boasting in the Cross directly references Galatians 6:14, where the Apostle Paul declares, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Through its clear and biblically grounded lyrics, "I Will Boast in the Cross" serves as an inspirational anthem for believers. It calls the listener to a humble acknowledgment of their own inability and God's sovereign choice, compelling them to find their entire hope, value, and reason for glory in the sacrificial work of Jesus on the Cross. The song directs worship and praise away from self and towards the glorious truth of the gospel, reminding all who sing it of the immense cost of their salvation and the surpassing worth of the One who paid it.
