1 Cor 1:31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast ~~ in the Lord.”

You can carry on a conversation with anyone by simply asking questions. For some, it is very important that others have a high opinion of them, so they make sure of it by talking about themselves at length . . . and they don’t even realize what they are doing!

The wisdom of God in providing unmerited and undeserved salvation was that “no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor 1:29). Braggarts are out of sync with God’s ways. Through an incredible, ingenious, and inconceivable plan, our God designed a way that everyone could receive the same level of “righteousness, sanctification and redemption” (1:30) as a gift!

Not a single religion or philosophy ever dreamed up a plan that could explain how sinful man could be made fully and absolutely acceptable to a holy God forever. Amazing!

Paul commands us to “boast in the Lord.” This verb means “straighten up your neck or carry your head in a proud manner.” Because this concept is so important, Paul repeats this command verbatim in 2 Corinthians 10:17. When Paul referred to himself, it was not to flatter himself: “If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity” (2 Cor 11:30). How unlike Paul we are!

We tend to talk about our accomplishments, our successes, or something we have done to impress others. We tend to brag about the wrong things and are proud about what means nothing to God: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight” (Jer 9:23–-24).

Have you ever been ashamed to publicly be called a Christian? How could a Muslim or a Hindu be prouder of his religion and freer to talk about it and defend it than believers in Jesus Christ?

We have the greatest story ever told and the King of kings as our Savior, whose salvation is man’s only hope. Someday it will be so obvious, so grand, and so globally visible that it will be ridiculous not to boast of His reality.

“Mighty God, this life is not worth living if I am not devoting each day to understanding and knowing You better. May I only glory in what You accomplish in and through my life.”

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