In our current world, where credentials, degrees, status, and riches validate our voices, it is an upside-down perspective in the Bible.
When you look at God’s word, it is very interesting those He called to fulfill His great plan. He used the ordinary, the unexpected, or the lowly in society. He used fishermen to proclaim the gospel (Matthew 4:18-22) and shepherds who were despised during that time to announce the birth of the long-awaited Messiah (Luke 2:8-12). He used women, in a patriarchal time period, to be the first witnesses after Jesus’ resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10).
Why?
In 1 Corinthians, there is a striking passage that Paul, an apostle of God, wrote to the church of Corinth. He said:
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. "- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV
God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…so that no one may boast before him.
Verse 30 highlights that it is only because of God that they are in Christ.
In other words, this is true for all that it is only by the grace of God and the work of Jesus on the cross who paid the penalty for our sins that we have new life.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, we read:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
So what should we boast in?
In 1 Corinthians 1:31, it says, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” - Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
We are called not to boast in our wisdom, nor our strength, nor our riches, but rather to boast in the Lord. A boasting that delights the Lord is one that is centered on a real relationship, being true seekers of God and desiring to know Him.
Prayer: Lord, may we not boast about the things people boast about in this world. Everything in this world fades away, but rather we pray to honor you and to boast only in you. It is only through the work of Jesus on the cross that we have been forgiven and redeemed. May we meditate on this truth and continue to prioritize our relationship with you.
Graceful Strides 