Cause for Boasting

“But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us – our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

            The Corinthian church prided themselves on their pride.  Or so it seems.  They were plagued with pride at the time Paul dictated this letter.  They were actually dealing with multiple problems, but most of them were simply manifestations of pride.  So Paul began this paragraph by challenging them to consider their “calling.”  He reminded them of how far they had come from where they once were in life.  Not many of them had been noble, or wise, or strong.  In fact, they came from backgrounds of weakness.  “God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong,” said Paul in verse 27. 

            Paul reminded the Corinthians that it is because God had called them into Christ that they had any wisdom, because Christ Himself is their wisdom.  It is all from Him, and none of it from them.  Therefore, they have no cause for boasting in themselves.  Their only cause for boasting is what Christ was doing in them.

            Any wisdom that is in us is from Him.  Any righteousness that is in us is from Him.  Any sanctification (holiness) in us is from Him.  Any redemption we have is from Him.  It is all about Him, and not about us.

            We all need such reminders from time to time.  Christ in us is the only true hope of glory there is.

Lord, We turn from pride and humble ourselves before You, in the confidence that all that is good in us is from You.  May that truth in us bring glory to You today.  Amen.