Category Archives: Boasting

Bible, Boasting, Pride, Scripture, Self-righteousness, Sin

SOMETHING TO BOAST ABOUT

ROMANS 4:2

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.”

I’m guilty as charged. I am a huge boaster – about my grandchildren. I have five with one more on the way. I am a proud Poppy and Papa. Our youngest is fifteen months old and is quite a little rounder. But boy is he affectionate. He loves to hug and snuggle. I am proud of each and every one of them whether I get to see them regularly or not.

Paul wasn’t talking about Abraham’s grandkids though. Paul is saying if anything Abraham did justified him, he would have the right to brag on himself. The phrase “something to boast about” is actually one Greek word, kauchéma. I love how the HELPS Word studies defines this word. “boasting, focusing on the results of exulting/boasting (note the –ma suffix). This boasting (exulting) is always positive when it is in the Lord, and always negative when based on self.” Pretty good, huh?

APPLICATION

While Romans 4:2 is the first time kauchéma is used in the New Testament, it is used 10 other times. 1 Corinthians 5:6 shows Paul calling out a church for their boasting. “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?”  This church was actually boasting about their tolerance of a man in the church who was sleeping with his father’s wife (I assume a stepmom or a wife other than his mother). Unfortunately, today we see churches doing similar things and bragging about it.

Probably my favorite use of this word is the final one in the New Testament found in Hebrews 3:6. “but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.” Christ is the boast of our hope. In Him and Him only can we boast freely and loudly. God wants to hear our boasting about His Son. In fact, it thrills the Father to hear His Son’s name praised and lifted up.

Who or what are you boasting about? Yes, I boast about my grandkids (my two children also), but I save my biggest boasts for Jesus. He is the author and finisher of my faith. He is my guiding light. He is the One who rescued me from the pit of hell, so I will exhort and lift Him up wherever and whenever I can. How about you?

I lift You up, O Lord, and proclaim the majesty of Your name.


If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Pride, Salvation, Scripture

BOAST IN JESUS

ROMANS 3:27

“Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.” 

I am very aware that I am not where I am spiritually because of my own intellect, deep convictions or dedication. There are so many people who have helped shape my Christian life. I have been influenced by some great men of God, beginning back in high school and even up to the present. I cannot boast of anything in myself. I have been truly blessed.

Paul begins a five verse discussion to wrap up chapter 3 with today’s verse. He once again reminds his readers that they have nothing to boast about in regards to their salvation. The word “boasting” is the Greek word kauchesis “which can either be in the “achievements” of self (negatively) or about God’s grace (positively).” (HELPS Word Studies). The promotion of self is always bad. It doesn’t matter what you’re talking about. We are not above anyone in God’s eyes. You’ve heard it said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

APPLICATION

Paul says later in Romans 15:17, “Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.” You see, that is where our boasting belongs – in Christ Jesus, not ourselves. We boast in His virgin birth, His sacrificial life, His death, His resurrection and His promised return. Even right now I can boast that He is interceding for me in heaven.

James looks at the negative side of boasting in James 4:16. After talking about people making their own plans without regard to God, he writes, “But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” Does that describe you? I hope not. Let all such pride and boasting be excluded from you, just as Paul says it should be in today’s verse.

The word Paul uses for “excluded” is only used here and by Paul again in Galatians 4:17. It literally means to shut out or bar access to someone or something. That’s the picture we should keep forefront in our minds in regard to boasting of ourselves. It’s only Jesus. Only He could have saved us and given us this righteousness. Praise be to God.

We praise You, Lord, for the great work of Your Son in our lives.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Boasting, Law, Pride, Religion, Scripture

A SCOLDING

ROMANS 2:17

“But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the Law and boast in God,”

You may have heard the expression “taken to the woodshed.” If you are a little older, you know what that means. The woodshed wasn’t just a place to store wood. It was also a place where a parent would paddle or spank their child for misbehavior. No one wanted to go to the woodshed because they knew they would experience a painful event. However, correction is needed if someone is misbehaving, right?

In today’s verse, Paul begins a diatribe against the Jews for their “misbehavior.” What was that? Spiritual pride and arrogance. As we go over these next several verses, you will see Paul point out how they thought just because they were Jews, they were good with God. Paul effectually scolds them and sets them in their place. Let’s begin this deep dive into these next verses.

APPLICATION

Matthew Henry says, “Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride.” Boy, this was true of the Jew. (It still is in some respect.) Just because they were Jewish by blood, they were sure they were a shoo-in for heaven. After all, they were God’s chosen people, right? Look at all the things God had done for them through their generations. Some manuscripts have a little different beginning to this verse which would have made the Jew sit up and take notice. Some have ide instead of ei de. The difference is ide would be translated “Behold” whereas ei de would read “If now.” Most believe the second rendering is correct. Either way, the Jews were being told to listen up.

The first matter of scolding Paul brings up is the reliance on the law as their sole reason for salvation. Paul knew, as a former Pharisee, that no one was able to keep the law perfectly. It just wasn’t possible. But these Jews claimed since they were the possessor of the law, they could boast in their religion. They believed in God; therefore they were okay.

May I remind you that even the demons believe and tremble. James tells us that in James 2:19. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” Belief by itself will not bring salvation. It’s also about obedience and following His commands. Yes, believe with all your heart but also follow closely as He guides. That will prove your allegiance to and reliance upon Jesus as the sole source of your salvation.

O Lord, thank You for giving me Jesus to follow. In His steps I will go.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Boasting, Flesh, Jesus, Old Self, Scripture

REASON TO BOAST

PHILIPPIANS 3:4

“although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:”

I have my wife, two children, two in-laws, and five beautiful grandchildren. I have reason to boast. Three grandchildren came instantly when my son married his wife who had three children from a previous marriage. Then they had a daughter together. My daughter had a son about a year ago. Man, I am a proud husband, father, Poppy and Papa. I certainly have reason to boast, don’t I?

In today’s verse, Paul sets up the next two verses where he lists his earthly credentials and reasons for boasting in himself, if he chose to do so. He says, “I have more reason” to boast in himself. Remember, Paul had a religious legacy before coming to Christ. Many of those with similar pedigrees flaunted their status. Even when some of them came to Christ, they still boasted in their privileged position, not understanding how Christ negates all that earthly pride.

APPLICATION

Paul tells us we cannot put our confidence in “the flesh.” What does he mean by that? HELPS Word studies gives this definition of the Greek word, sarx (flesh). “…what is ‘of the flesh (carnal)’ is by definition displeasing to the Lord – even things that seem ‘respectable!’ In short, flesh generally relates to unaided human effort, i.e. decisions (actions) that originate from self or are empowered by self. This is carnal (‘of the flesh’) and proceeds out of the untouched (unchanged) part of us – i.e. what is not transformed by God.”

Did you get all of that? Flesh = bad, God = good. It really is that simple. Now, we are all stuck in this flesh while we live in these mortal bodies, but we do not have to be controlled by the desires of the flesh. My life verse is Galatians 2:20. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives within me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” My flesh died with Christ on that cross. It needs to stay dead.

We have to choose daily to not boast in our flesh. Sure, we can boast in our families and even in some of our own achievements. But we cannot be lured into the trap of boasting in our flesh and our own abilities. Boast only in Jesus. He has the power to sustain and strengthen you.

Remind me daily, O God, of the stench of my flesh so that I will not allow it to raise its ugly head.

Standard
Bible, Boasting, Glory, Jesus, Pride, Rejoicing, Scripture

TAKE PRIDE IN JESUS

PHILIPPIANS 3:3

“for we are the true  circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,”

I recently got a notification on my phone that I would have an IOS update (operating system). I normally look at what the latest update is supposed to do. Low and behold, one of the updates was for a new wallpaper theme for my phone, you know, those themed backgrounds. But this was one I was not interested in receiving. It was for Pride Month, a celebration of alternative lifestyles that I cannot condone. I will not be using that update.

Paul tells us clearly what we should take pride in – Christ Jesus. He tells the Philippian church that as followers of Christ we are the “true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to say we “put no confidence in the flesh.” I don’t know how you could say it better than that. Jeremy Camp has a song I listen to a lot that has a line that says, “Holy Fire, burn away my desire, for anything that is not of You and that is of me, I want more of You and less of me.” That is Paul’s desire for you and me today.

APPLICATION

Taking pride in the right thing is a good thing. We often equate pride with being stuck up or arrogant. The quite opposite is true when we take pride in Jesus. The Greek word used here for “take pride” can also be translated “rejoice, boast, glory.” We see all of those in various translations of this verse. The word is used 38 times in the New Testament. But get this – it is used 26 times in 1 and 2 Corinthians. If I was a betting man, I would guess that church had a pride issue. Some were boasting in themselves or the wrong things. Paul kept pointing them back to boasting in the right thing – God alone.

You should really read 2 Corinthians 10:12-18 to get a full picture of the danger of pride in ourselves. Paul says it best in verse 17 there when he says, “But THE ONE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.” Paul may have had Jeremiah 9:23-24 in his thoughts as he penned this. Those verses say this, “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.”

So, let me ask you today – what are you taking pride in? Your wisdom, your might, your riches, yourself? As Jeremy Camp said, “I want more of You and less of me.” I choose today to rejoice, to boast, to glory in Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He and He alone is worthy of all our praise. Take pride in Him.

I glory in Jesus today, O Lord, and give Him all praise for what He has done for me.

Standard
Bible, Boasting, Jesus, Pride, Scripture

BOASTING

PHILIPPIANS 1:26

“so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.”

Have you ever known anyone who boasted about themselves all the time? They’ve done this or they’ve done that. They have gone here or they’ve gone there. They make so much money. You know what I mean. Braggarts can get on your last nerve. But not all boasting is bad, as we shall see today. There are some things we should boast about.

I bet Paul was a braggart before he came to Christ. In fact, he says as much later in this letter – “although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason:” (3:4) Pharisees weren’t particularly known for their humility. So why would Paul talk about boasting and pride?

APPLICATION

Paul was telling the Philippians that their pride should be in Christ. The word “pride” is kauchéma which can be used both positively and negatively. There is nothing wrong with being proud of what the Lord has done in our lives or the lives of others. We are boasting in Him, not us. That is what Paul is pointing to. He is saying when he is released and returns to them, they should boast only in Jesus.

I love how Paul uses this word in his second letter to the Corinthians. 1:14 says this, “just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, on the day of our Lord Jesus.” We rejoice or show our pride in each other. If we did more of that, there would be less envy and jealousy among us. Don’t you think?

What are you boasting in today? Your stock portfolio? Your family? Your job and position? We should only boast in Jesus and what He has done in our lives or the lives of others. We know that pride comes before the fall, right. Negative boasting or pride can be our downfall. Let’s keep our boasting pointed toward heaven.

Father, forgive me when I fall back into that trap of boasting about myself. Let me only boast in You.

Standard
Attention, Bible, Boasting, Contentment, Emotions, Humility, Scripture, Works

YOU DID NOT DO THIS

EPHESIANS 2:9

“not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 

Pride! Boasting! It will definitely get us into trouble. Some ballplayers like to trash talk. They are always talking about how good they are and how much better they are than anyone else. The smart players leave their boasting for the field or court. They just do their job and let the results speak for themselves. Sure, they are proud of what they have accomplished, but they don’t have to brag about it.

In this part two of the passage Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul tells us rather plainly that our salvation had nothing to do with us. He says it is “not a result of works.” It had nothing to do with you. You did not do this! You have no reason to boast. God did this through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was His work on the cross. You can’t boast in that. All you can do is receive the grace He gives you through the faith He gives you.

APPLICATION

The Greek word Paul uses for “boast” is kauchaomai. It can be used in a good or bad sense. It can refer to a God-given confidence or vaunting yourself. Paul uses this word a lot. In fact, of the 38 times it is used in the New Testament, Paul uses it 36. The other two times occur in James.

In 2 Corinthians 11:30 Paul writes, “If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.” Paul knew from the outset of his salvation that he had no reason to boast. He was struck blind and had to be led to a place where he stayed for three days until Ananias came and laid hands on him, giving him his sight back. Paul was brought low in order to be raised up to be used by Christ.

Over in 2 Corinthians 10:17, Paul uses this word again as he partially quotes Jeremiah 9:23-24, which says, “23 This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.” Again, it wasn’t about Paul. It was all about Jesus.

Paul points to the right place in which to boast when he writes these words in Galatians 6:14, “But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” It is only in the cross! That is where our glory should be directed. He has done all the work. Because of that, we can boast in Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Father God, I boast only in Jesus and the cross on which He died.

Standard
Bible, Boasting, Cross, Glorify, Glory, Mediator, Payment, Redemption, Sacrifice, Salvation, Scripture

GLORY IN THE CROSS

GALATIANS 6:14

“But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The title for today’s blog confuses the lost world. How can we glory in such a cruel death? The following link gives you a pretty good description of the Roman cross. It was an awful way to die.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/crucifixion-capital-punishment

But we believers understand it is more than just the way Jesus died. It was that He died for us.

Paul had plenty to boast about. In fact, he lists those things in Philippians 3:4-6. “4 If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.” But he knew the only thing worthy of boasting about was the Lord Jesus.

APPLICATION

I was thinking what to write here today, but I can’t say it any better than Albert Barnes. Read what he said about this boasting in the cross.

“But to the Christian, that cross is the subject of glorying. It is so because:

  1. Of the love of Him who suffered there;
  2. Of the purity and holiness of His character, for the innocent died there for the guilty;
  3. Of the honor there put on the Law of God by His dying to maintain it unsullied;
  4. Of the reconciliation there made for sin, accomplishing what could be done by no other oblation, and by no power of man;
  5. Of the pardon there procured for the guilty;
  6. Of the fact that through it we become dead to the world, and are made alive to God;
  7. Of the support and consolation which goes from that cross to sustain us in trial; and,
  8. Of the fact that it procured for us admission into heaven, a title to the world of glory. All is glory around the cross.”

What else can you say? That pretty much sums it up. So today, glory in the cross of your Lord. Praise Him for what He did and continues to do for you. Give Him the honor and glory He is due.

O God, my Father, I give You praise and thank You for the cross. That sounds strange, but I know Jesus died on that cross for me and for everyone else in the world.

Standard
Attention, Attitude, Bible, Boasting, Decisions, Humility, Influence, Pride, Scripture

SHOW OFF

GALATIANS 6:12

“All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.”

Some people are all show. They want everyone to see them and what they have accomplished. I love the verse that our ministry has adopted, Isaiah 26:12. “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.” The last phrase is what we claim. It’s all Him, not us. We have nothing to brag or boast about.

Paul pointed out in this verse today that those who were trying to compel the Galatians to get circumcised only cared about themselves. They were trying to appease the Jewish leaders with their Mosaic Law following. It wasn’t about Jesus. It was about what they could do, even to their flesh, to appear more spiritual or to be a more sincere follower.

APPLICATION

What kind of “showing” are you making? Is it all about you or is it about Jesus? We should echo the words of John the Baptist. “‘He must become greater; I must become less.’” John knew he was just the forerunner of Christ. He was there to proclaim the message God had given him. He wasn’t “The Man.” Too many people today think they are.

Remember this story from Acts 8? “9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.’” We know what happened to him, don’t we? Are you sure? He got saved through the preaching of Philip, but he still struggled with this desire to be “The Man.”

Later in the chapter, he is confronted by Peter because Simon offered to buy the power to lay hands on people which he had seen done by the apostles. He still hungered for the attention he had earlier. Thankfully, after Peter rebuked him, he repented. As far as we know, we will get to meet Simon in heaven and ask him more about his life. What will your story be? Will it be about yourself or about Jesus? I can’t wait to see.

Hide me behind the cross daily, Lord. Let others see Jesus and not me. 

Standard
Attitude, Bible, Blessing, Boasting, Comparison, Examine, Holiness, Influence, Modeling, Scripture, Testing

EXAMINE YOURSELF

 

GALATIANS 6:4

 

“But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another.”

 

Do you remember those days in school when your teacher would announce a pop test? I hated that. I was a pretty good student, but I didn’t like those surprise tests. But then she would say when everyone was finished, “Okay, I want each of you to grade your own paper as I call out the answers.” Now you would see how you did on that unexpected test. Only you and the teacher would know the result, unless you shared it with someone else.

 

Paul tells the Galatians to take out that clean sheet of paper and prepare to examine themselves. It did not matter what others thought about them. It only mattered what God thought. They were to measure themselves not against someone else but only Jesus and His expectations of them. Then and only then would they have reason for rejoicing, and even then, only in Him.

 

APPLICATION

 

Proverbs 14:14 says, “A good man shall be satisfied from himself.” A good man (or woman) shall examine himself according to God’s law. When he finds himself in agreement with God, he can rejoice. Albert Barnes says this in regard to this verse. “Here is the true secret of happiness. It consists: (1) In not forming an improper estimate of ourselves; in knowing just what we are, (2) in leading such a life that it may be examined to the core, and (3) in not being dependent on the fickle applause of the world for our comfort.”

 

What is your measure of yourself? How do you measure yourself? Each week in a weekly meeting I am in, we have to measure ourselves in about seven or eight areas. One of those is our walk with God. Another is our family life. These categories give us a snapshot of that particular week. My score changes weekly. I am never the same. Things change every week and how I respond to those things change as well.

 

But there is one area in which I shall never change, in which I can measure myself well. That area is in my personal relationship with Christ. I know it is secure. I know I am sealed for all eternity under the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Nothing will ever change that. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

 

Father, examine me and show me my faults so that I can better represent You to others.

Standard