...boast in the Lord...

“26 Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

Corinth was a romantic city where people were looked up to who were “wise by human standards (verse 26). If you could speak well publicly, like politicians and lawyers, you were looked up to. Paul reminds the people he is writing to that they are not like that. Most people who believed in the Gospel message of Jesus Christ were not “wise” in terms of society, nor were they looked up to. “27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God” (verses 27-29).

So what Paul wishes to say to all the readers of this letter is that “God is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (verse 30). In other words, if you want to boast, your boast is in the Lord, Jesus Christ (verse 31)! In other words, nothing you and I can boast about came from ourselves. Anything we can boast about came from the Lord. Not a single Christ can boast of the status he or she possesses, because from first to last it is God’s work and gift.

Paul is quoting one of the most famous and important texts in the Bible, Deuteronomy 7:7-11: “7 It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, 10 and who repays in their own person those who reject him. He does not delay but repays in their own person those who reject him. 11 Therefore, observe diligently the commandment—the statutes and the ordinances—that I am commanding you today” Deuteronomy 7:7-11.

Paul also quotes Jeremiah 29:23 & 24: "23 Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; Let those who boast, boast in this, that they understand and know Me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”

What brings Christians strength and joy, is what it means to “be in Christ.” And if you are “in Christ”, you are a member of the family of God, and “your wisdom, your righteousness, your sanctification and redemption” are yours — only in and through Jesus Christ! Today, then, let your prayer be that you and I may be true Christians, Christians who are christian only “in and through Jesus Christ”, for that is all that matters.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Today’s Prayer

Oh Lord, I give You thanks and praise

for the life You have given me.

Who am I that you should should ever even think of me?

For I am who I am because of You.

I am who I am through you, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I ask you for Your mercy and forgiveness,

for I am a sinner in need of Your redeeming grace and presence.

Any good that comes from my life, comes through You.

So I praise you and adore only You

through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.