“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'”
– 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Main Thought: We all know that it is wrong to boast or brag about ourselves. Proverbs 27:2 tells us “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth…” So when it comes to ourselves and boasting of our own accomplishments or knowledge, it is wrong. However, in this passage of Scripture we are told boasting is appropriate, because in this case, our boasting is in what Christ has done for us and what we are now in Him. The history of the church at Corinth at this point was one of division, pride, and arrogance. Some had picked sides in regards to preachers (1 Cor. 1:12), others were taking pride in certain spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12 & 1 Cor. 14), and some flaunted their wealth at the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-21). In these verses, Paul reminded them, and us, that all that we possess as Christians is in Christ, and there is no place or room for boastfulness or pride. Because of Christ, we now have true wisdom, not the wisdom of the world that is only temporal, but the wisdom of the Gospel that leads to eternal life and the wisdom of His Word that helps us to grow in Christ and walk righteously in this world. Paul also reminded them that in Christ they are righteous because the righteousness of Christ has been put on our account, meaning we are now declared eternally righteous in the eyes of God (Rom. 4:23-5:3). Also, because of Christ we now possess a position of sanctification, or holiness, where God does not see us in our sinfulness, but because of Christ we are seen as eternally holy. And last, because of Christ we now possess redemption, which means we have been bought by Christ out of our slavery to sin and the punishment of our sin; we have been delivered by Christ’s blood from that. This is why if we do any boasting, or any bragging, as Christians it should always be in our Lord, because all that we possess is because of what He has done for us. After all, He became the substitute for our sins. May our lives and our mouths boast to others of what we are and have because of Christ.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill all your good pleasure for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Matthew 16:6
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:6
Philemon 1:7
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” – Philemon 1:7
Hebrews 12:5-7
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He flogs every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” – Hebrews 12:5-7
Isaiah 28:15-16
“Because you have said, ‘We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made a pact. The overflowing scourge will not reach us when it passes by. For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have hidden ourselves with lying. Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, ‘Behold I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” – Isaiah 28:15-16
Psalm 84:11-12
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” – Psalm 84:11-12
Psalm 84:1
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!” – Psalm 84:1
Hebrews 2:1
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1
John 4:13-14
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” – John 4:13-14
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17