How Grace Shut Out Boasting?
27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Romans 3:27-28 (NIV)
Commenting on Romans 3:27-28, William Newell told this story, “The Feast of Mercy was on, and the damsel Grace was at the door, admitting everyone who came on the ground of mercy alone. Old Mr. Boasting, in a high hat and fine suit, presented himself. ‘Oh, ‘said Grace, as she quickly shut the door in his face, ‘There is no room for you here! The people here are feasting on the free gifts of God.’ So Mr. Boasting was shut out!”
The heart of the issue is boasting stems from pride, the belief that we are somehow deserving of God’s favor through our own efforts. Paul’s point is that there is absolutely no room in one’s salvation for boasting since salvation is, from beginning to end, a work of God on behalf of totally depraved and helpless people. Pride, often disguised as self-righteousness, is a subtle yet destructive force that can lead us away from God’s grace.
In ’ Mere Christianity’, C.S. Lewis describes pride as a universal human problem. He points out that while we readily recognize and condemn pride in others, we often fail to see it within ourselves. Pride is competitive, seeking to elevate ourselves above others, creating division and conflict. This is especially true in the realm of religion, where pride can manifest as a sense of superiority based on our moral behavior, religious knowledge, or even the depth of our feelings toward God.
The good news is that the gospel offers a powerful antidote to boasting: justification by faith. This means that we are made right with God not through our own works or merit, but through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. When we understand and embrace this truth, boasting becomes obsolete. Our focus shifts from ourselves and our accomplishments to Christ and His finished work, leading to humility and gratitude.
However, even within Christian circles, we can fall into the trap of subtly boasting in our faith. We may think that our strong faith or deep understanding of the Bible somehow makes us more deserving of God’s love than others. But this misunderstands the nature of faith: Faith is not a work we perform to earn salvation; it is simply the means by which we receive God’s free gift of grace.
So, how do we escape the boasting trap? Firstly, we must recognize the immense cost of our justification. Jesus Christ willingly endured humiliation, suffering, and death on the cross to secure our forgiveness and acceptance before God. Understanding this sacrifice should fill us with humility and gratitude, erasing any desire to boast in ourselves. Secondly, we must boast only in the cross of Christ. This means recognizing that our identity and worth are found not in our own achievements, but in Christ and His finished work. When we truly grasp this truth, boasting fades away, replaced by a deep sense of humility and dependence on God’s love. We are then free to live lives of gratitude and service, reflecting the amazing grace that has been bestowed upon us.
Consider the pride on the opposite side of boasting, have you ever felt unworthy of God’s love or acceptance because of your past mistakes, present struggles, or lack of religious performance? How does the truth of justification by faith speak to these feelings of insecurity?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 3:21-31 were drawn from James Montgomery Boice’s commentary on Romans]
I’ve spoken of this quite a bit lately. I started out when I first came to the faith with great zeal. I read alot and study alot and felt proud of how much I learn. I try to learn apologetic in hope of being a champion of the faith! All my effort led to utter failures. I can see God works in everything as God reveal to me my false pride and how foolish I was in thinking I could accomplish anything on my own. I’ve since realize that only with the acceptance of God love and only in surrendering to God could I finally be ready to be a part of His work. Then I see His success and I’m just walking with the Lord and see how He works using me and my circumstances to His glory and being near Him is my reward.
Interesting question today😏 I’ve talked before about my struggles with pride and ego, but it is very cunning in the way it can manifest itself through feelings of unworthiness due to past mistakes, struggles, or lack of performance. Self-loathing can be just as insidious a manifestation of self as boastful arrogance, and I have been on that end of the spectrum as well. I have felt unworthy of life itself for large periods of time in the past, mainly because I measured my own worth based upon my performance, (or lack thereof.) However, the truth of justification by faith speaks to this in that my worth is not measured by what i have done or failed to do, but is solely based upon God’s demonstration of love through Christ, and what He has done! Roger and Vic and I were just talking about this on Monday. I have more confidence today than I’ve ever had, but that confidence is not in me- it’s in Christ! In Him we can have complete confidence and everlasting worth😊