Boast in the Lord
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NASB)
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
SUMMARY
Paul reminds the Corinthians that God didn’t call the intelligent, powerful nor wealthy people by worldly standards, to be His. God instead chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all; and He used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. Everything that we have and need—God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption—comes from God, by the way of Jesus Christ. And if we want to boast, we should boast only about the Lord.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Paul presses this truth to help the proud Corinthians (and us) to understand with humility who and what we are, especially before we were called. Where could we possibly acquire the spiritual power to live a righteous life that would please and glorify God? As humans, it most certainly is not in us naturally from birth, but we are transformed by the gospel of grace and peace. We, who are nothing without Christ, have been chosen to serve the purposes of His glory. Every gift and talent we have is not for us to boast about, but to give all the glory to God. He created each of us the way we are, to further His kingdom on earth. Through the lens of this fallen world, knowledge, power and money seem so important. But to us who are chosen, God’s fullness, the treasures of true wisdom, and the knowledge of the gospel gives us a new meaning of life in His grace, to be fit for every service to which we are called.
Long before Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians, it is declared in Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV) - “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord.”
What a privilege to have the understanding to know our Lord and Savior who chose us with His special favor, all-sufficient grace and precious salvation through Jesus Christ!
Our identity is only in Christ, who died on the cross for our sins, not by our worldly accomplishments. We will only delight and joyfully boast in the Lord, and what He has graciously done in our lives.
APPLICATION
This passage reminds me to always stay humble and know where all I have comes from. Everything is from the Lord, and they are precious gifts to me and my family, as Romans 11:36 says that “For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.”
As I study this passage, I am more humbled and grateful for what He has done for me on the cross. God freely gives to His children what the world cannot give, although we don’t deserve such grace. Nothing in this world will satisfy my soul, except salvation through Christ. I once was a proud and boastful brat, but as I powerfully encountered Jesus and was reborn by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, God reminded me that all the blessing is from Him. I myself have absolutely nothing to boast about. I now boast in the Lord, His love and His amazing grace. I resolve to give my all - abundant blessings, whatever humble gifts and talents He bestowed upon me - to serve His Kingdom and His people in humility, for His glory only.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father God,
Thank You for reminding us today to stay in humility as we trudge through our lives in this sinful world. You have told us in Proverbs 11:2 that “when pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” Lord, we humbly seek Your heavenly wisdom, not the worldly knowledge and the pride that comes with it. Help us to see this world through your vision, and to be able to fix our eyes upon what is unseen and unfavored by this fallen world. Lord, we once again commit our lives to You, who chose us by your grace to be your own. We receive Your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, which we don’t deserve as sinners. We desire to give all the glory and honor to your name in all things we do. May we only boast in You - Your goodness, faithfulness, mercy, love and grace.
As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, help us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12), and give all the glory to You, Lord. Thank you again for making us right with God, pure and holy, and for freeing us from sin. In Jesus’ powerful name we pray, Amen.
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