CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
Pride has increased over the years in humanity to the point where boasting about something doesn't mean we need to be right, just seen - vanity. To some being right is the point of the boast. To other people if they are right, great, but they just want the spotlight - if for just a moment.
I have only heard and read one thing that is worth boasting about - salvation through Jesus Christ. Of course there are many other benefits to boast about after deciding to follow Christ that are still because of Him, but the first is the actual acceptance of His sacrificial, redemptive gift of life by grace through faith.
Paul was inspired to write, in particular, something on this topic twice - once in his first letter to the church in Corinth and second in his second letter to the same church.
- Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:31)
- But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (2 Corinthians 10:17)
Actually, Paul had much to say about this subject. However, I will limit it to a handful of key verses. Staying at the church in Corinth, I like how Paul gets right to the spirit of boasting and giving it a spiritual black eye.
- What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
Paul mentions the most important thing that he should ever boast in is his salvation through Christ.
- May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)
The plan of salvation was set up so that humanity would recognize "no one can boast". The Old Testament in short is a testimony to laws and regulations that God laid down for perfect, righteous living, but that no one could ever fulfill. The New Testament in short is about a person, Jesus Christ, who came from God and as God's Son to fulfill that impossible lifestyle of perfect, righteous living and be sacrificed for believers to live a new lifestyle - a way of the Spirit.
- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
- But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. (Hebrews 3:6)
Although at first it does not sound logical, there is one more thing that boasting is good for - our weaknesses. I know, right? I don't exactly go around to everybody saying, "I am so weak in that area or this area of my work/home life." Yet, just these kinds of things are going to be our testimony. Our weaknesses come after the "Therefore" in this next verse. Beforehand we have the promise that God's unmerited favor, His grace, is sufficient or adequate for the purpose and the display of His power perfectly showcased in our weaknesses. Paul says,
- But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthains 12:9-10)
Nor gifts, nor power, nor wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom"
Christians, when you start speaking to others, start some of your sentences with "The Lord has...." instead of "I......" and practice knowing thy source, boasting in The Lord, and giving Credit Where Credit Is Due.
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