BOASTING ONLY IN CHRIST

BOASTING ONLY IN CHRIST

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Key Verse: "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." — 1 Corinthians 1:31 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 9:23-24; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:7-9; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Psalm 34:2; Psalm 115:1

Description: Believers are called to place all their confidence and glory in Jesus Christ, recognising that every good thing they possess ultimately comes from Him.

INTRODUCTION

Human beings naturally desire recognition for their achievements, abilities, possessions, positions, and successes. Yet the Gospel teaches us to redirect our confidence away from ourselves and towards Jesus Christ. Paul concludes his discussion of God's wisdom by declaring, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." The redeemed life is therefore not a platform for self-exaltation but an opportunity to magnify Christ.

The Corinthian believers were tempted to boast in human leaders, wisdom, status, and accomplishments. Paul reminded them that God deliberately chose what the world considers weak and insignificant so that no human being could boast in His presence. Everything that believers have in Christ: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; is ultimately a gift from God.

Boasting only in Christ does not mean denying God's blessings or refusing to acknowledge achievements. It means recognising the true source behind every blessing, gift, opportunity, and accomplishment. When Christ receives the glory, pride loses its power, gratitude increases, and our lives become testimonies of His grace.

1. RECOGNISE THAT EVERYTHING COMES FROM GOD

A heart that boasts in Christ understands that every genuine blessing and ability ultimately comes from God. Nothing we possess gives us independent grounds for pride.

a) God Gives Every Good Gift (James 1:17)
Every good and perfect gift comes from above, reminding us that our abilities, opportunities, and blessings are ultimately God's provision.

b) God Gives Power To Prosper (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Our ability to work, succeed, and create value is itself a gift from God and should never become a reason for pride.

c) God Is The Source Of Wisdom (Proverbs 2:6)
True wisdom and understanding come from the Lord, so we should acknowledge Him whenever we receive insight or direction.

d) God Deserves The Glory (Psalm 115:1)
Our achievements should ultimately point people towards God's name rather than our own.

Biblical Example: Joseph gave God the glory when Pharaoh asked him to interpret his dream, declaring that the ability to interpret belonged to God (Genesis 41:15-16).

2. REJECT BOASTING IN HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT

God's grace should produce humility. Human achievements are valuable, but they should never become the foundation of our identity or confidence.

a) Do Not Trust In Human Strength (Jeremiah 17:5)
Depending entirely upon human ability without acknowledging God leads to misplaced confidence.

b) Do Not Boast In Wisdom (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
God does not condemn wisdom, strength, or riches, but He calls us to recognise that knowing Him is our greatest privilege.

c) Remember Your Dependence On God (John 15:5)
Jesus taught that apart from Him we can accomplish nothing of eternal significance.

d) Humble Yourself Before God (James 4:6)
God gives grace to the humble, while pride creates resistance to His work in our lives.

Biblical Example: Nebuchadnezzar boasted about the greatness of Babylon as though it were entirely his achievement, but God humbled him until he recognised the sovereignty of the Most High (Daniel 4:28-37).

3. GLORY IN WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE

The believer's greatest reason for boasting is not personal achievement but the finished work of Jesus Christ.

a) Christ Is Our Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Our salvation is possible because Christ paid the price for our redemption.

b) Christ Is Our Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Our acceptance before God rests upon Christ's righteousness rather than our own accomplishments.

c) Christ Is Our Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Our growth in holiness depends upon God's transforming grace working within us.

d) Christ Is Our Victory (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Every spiritual victory ultimately comes through Jesus Christ, who gives us triumph.

Biblical Example: Paul counted his former religious achievements as loss compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ and being found in Him (Philippians 3:7-9).

4. LET YOUR LIFE GLORIFY CHRIST

Boasting in Christ should affect the way we live. Our words, actions, service, and testimony should continually direct attention towards Jesus.

a) Glorify God In Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Because believers have been bought with a price, their lives should be dedicated to God's glory.

b) Serve Without Seeking Praise (Matthew 6:1-4)
Christian service should be motivated by love for God rather than a desire for human recognition.

c) Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16)
Our good works should point people towards God rather than becoming opportunities for self-exaltation.

d) Give God Thanks Continually (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Gratitude keeps our hearts focused on God's goodness and protects us from pride.

Biblical Example: After healing the lame man, Peter refused to take personal credit and directed the crowd's attention to the power and name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3:12-16).

CONCLUSION

Boasting only in Christ means recognising that our salvation, righteousness, wisdom, abilities, opportunities, and victories ultimately come from God. We may have gifts, accomplishments, and responsibilities, but none of these should replace Christ as the source of our confidence. Everything good in our lives should become a reason to praise Him rather than exalt ourselves.

Let us therefore follow Paul's example and make Christ the centre of our boasting. When God blesses us, let us give Him the glory; when He uses us, let us remain humble; and when we succeed, let us remember who gave us the strength. May our lives continually declare, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for every blessing, gift, opportunity, and victory You have given me, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from every form of pride and self-exaltation, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to recognise You as the source of everything good in my life, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let my confidence always rest in Jesus Christ rather than in my own ability, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to remain humble whenever You bless, promote, or use me, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to glorify You through my words, actions, achievements, and service, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let the finished work of Christ remain the foundation of my faith and confidence, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, protect my heart from the pride that comes through success, recognition, or influence, in Jesus name.

9. Father, use my testimony to direct people towards Jesus Christ rather than towards myself, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my entire life become a continual testimony of Your grace, goodness, and faithfulness, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually recognise God as the source of every blessing, ability, opportunity, and victory in your life.

2. Every root of pride and self-exaltation shall be removed from your heart, and humility shall become evident in your character.

3. You shall not place your confidence in human strength, wisdom, wealth, position, or influence, but shall continually trust in the Lord.

4. The grace of God shall preserve you from the pride that often accompanies success, recognition, and promotion.

5. You shall experience Christ as your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption in every season of your life.

6. Every achievement God gives you shall become an opportunity to glorify His name and testify of His goodness.

7. You shall receive grace to serve faithfully without seeking human applause, knowing that your ultimate reward comes from the Lord.

8. Your testimony shall point many people towards Jesus Christ, and your life shall become a living demonstration of God's grace.

9. The Lord shall lift you, establish you, and bless you in ways that will cause you to say continually, "To God alone be the glory."

10. You shall finish your Christian journey with a humble heart, giving all glory to Christ and declaring His faithfulness throughout your life.