Romans 3-4
In seven simple words, Paul gives us God's will on the sin God hates most; pride. "Where then, is boasting? Boasting is excluded." The boasting that Paul is talking about is self promotion. We are reminded that apart from God we are sinful creatures. In fact, in Romans 3:10-18 he gives six scriptures that describe our sin nature. Reading them can sting a little but try to read them and apply them to yourself. They shouldn't sting a little, they should hurt badly.
It could read something like this; No one is righteous, not even me. I do not understand or seek God. I have turned away and have become worthless. My tongue practices deceit and on my lips is the poison of vipers. My mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. My feet are quick to shed blood and in my path is misery. I do not know peace nor do I fear God.
If you read that paragraph and it cuts to the core, be calmed. Although those accusations are very true of our sin nature, of the flesh of human beings, we no longer need to live according to those curses. Those are true of people who live under the Law of God. Those were true of those who lived before the death of Christ and for those who reject the resurrection of Christ. Where we had those weaknesses we can find strength. By confessing those faults, Christ in us fills our gaps. In 2 Corinthians Paul tells us that he does still boast. But that he boasts about his weaknesses, about his deficiencies, so that the perfection and strength of Christ will build him up.
This isn't a promise that was given to only Paul but to all of us who live under by the law of faith. If we can do all things through Christ who strengthens, then without Him how much can we do? Personally, I felt like I could do most anything without Him. What I learned was that I can do all sorts of things that benefit me for a short time. But if I want things that benefit me, my family, my friends, my colleagues and want that benefit to extend for a while, there is nothing that I can do alone to achieve that goal. However, with Him on our team, those are things that we can all easily attain. God tells us that pride is one of the things that He hates. But, we must tell others our story to share the great things that God has done in our lives. Therefore, if I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. In that, the Great Power of God is most shown.
It could read something like this; No one is righteous, not even me. I do not understand or seek God. I have turned away and have become worthless. My tongue practices deceit and on my lips is the poison of vipers. My mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. My feet are quick to shed blood and in my path is misery. I do not know peace nor do I fear God.
If you read that paragraph and it cuts to the core, be calmed. Although those accusations are very true of our sin nature, of the flesh of human beings, we no longer need to live according to those curses. Those are true of people who live under the Law of God. Those were true of those who lived before the death of Christ and for those who reject the resurrection of Christ. Where we had those weaknesses we can find strength. By confessing those faults, Christ in us fills our gaps. In 2 Corinthians Paul tells us that he does still boast. But that he boasts about his weaknesses, about his deficiencies, so that the perfection and strength of Christ will build him up.
This isn't a promise that was given to only Paul but to all of us who live under by the law of faith. If we can do all things through Christ who strengthens, then without Him how much can we do? Personally, I felt like I could do most anything without Him. What I learned was that I can do all sorts of things that benefit me for a short time. But if I want things that benefit me, my family, my friends, my colleagues and want that benefit to extend for a while, there is nothing that I can do alone to achieve that goal. However, with Him on our team, those are things that we can all easily attain. God tells us that pride is one of the things that He hates. But, we must tell others our story to share the great things that God has done in our lives. Therefore, if I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. In that, the Great Power of God is most shown.