Who Do We Boast In?
By: Max Dalrymple, Student Ministry Director
On Sunday, we sang, “I will not boast in anything–no gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.”
The gospel leaves us unable to boast about anything that we can do, but in awe of Jesus Christ so that all we can say is “praise God!”
In 1 Timothy 1:15–16, Paul said, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life.”
After reflecting on God’s amazing grace in saving the worst of sinners, Paul praised God in verse 17, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
God didn’t save us because He thought we were awesome or had a lot of potential. We were dead in our sins when God gave us new life (Eph 2:5). Like Paul, we were the worst of sinners who were saved purely by God’s grace. And He saved us so that He might show His grace, His patience, His love, and His glory.
The gospel leaves us unable to boast about anything except the cross of Christ (Gal 6:14). Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” In 1 Corinthians 1:31, Paul quoted Jeremiah saying, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
“I will not boast in anything–no gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.”
When we consider that God would save us, the worst of sinners, it leaves us asking the question we sang this Sunday, “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.”
In Awe with You,
Max
“Jesus rides into Jerusalem not on a war horse, but on a donkey—a symbol of peace. He is the King, but not the king they expected. His kingdom is not of this world. He comes to conquer, not Rome, but sin and death.”