Boast in the Lord!
“God did this so that, just as it is written, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31)
“Pride comes before the fall.” This proverb is a good reminder not to boast about one’s achievements because it can easily be all taken away. We see this happening in the world all the time, especially in sports. It does not take long for someone to boast about their accomplishments only to be surpassed by someone else. Where does this boastful pride come from? Boastful pride is a product of the sinful heart. Pride in self is the greatest idol that threatens to take the place of the true God.
We tend to boast about our accomplishments to show we are better than other people. Boasting in ourselves is an attempt to show God that he is lucky to have someone like us in his kingdom. Think about it, have you achieved the level of perfection that God demands? All the boasting you do by comparing yourselves to others is worthless to God. He always compares people to himself. So, your self-boasting will not save you from the fires of hell, the greatest fall of all!
God has chosen for us to boast in another way that does not have sin attached to it! In his infinite and perfect wisdom, God chose Jesus to make you holy by the cross. Jesus’ holiness is given to you. Jesus also satisfied God’s wrath and punishment. All of this was done without you or me! God has chosen to give us his kingdom with no strings attached. This good news has given us a reason to boast, but not in ourselves, but solely in Christ Jesus our Savior. God has released us from the hell we have earned and given us heaven as his gracious gift. From now on, if we boast, we boast in the Lord.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving our sinful boasting. Help us boast in Jesus and the righteousness he has given to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!