Do not boast

It is consistent with human nature to be proud of oneself. To a certain extent this is acceptable and even healthy, but often we can overdo it and become pretentious. We may think we are good mothers, good businessmen, hard workers, etc.,

but how is this spiritually? May we boast and do we have reason to be spiritually proud? The Bible condemns people who show off their faith, their "good" works and their wonderful input to society. God hates it when people brag that they have chosen for God and that others should do the same thing as they have done. He does not like it when people speak loftily.

Why does God detest this attitude? Well, it is not realistic, and by so doing people steal His honour. Consider this: in God's opinion we moved away from Him and went on our own. This fall into sin is so profound that no one desires to return of his/her own accord. The apostle Paul called it being ‘dead in sins and trespasses.’ That is strong language! And if someone returns to God, God has drawn him/her to Him. It is essential to the Christian faith to experience that we must be saved by Christ and solely by Him. True faith is seeing yourself as a lost one and feeling completely unable to rescue yourself. Dear reader, have you seen yourself as absolutely incapable to even repent and believe? All those who can repent and believe by themselves rob God of His honour.

God wants the honour and He is worthy to receive it. He is the Creator and He gave His Son to save sinners. The Lord Jesus did not come to save pious and selfless people, but He came for the lost ones. It is God's pleasure to do all the work that must be done in saving people, and at the same time this is the best Gospel I have ever heard. What if I would have to do something myself in order to be saved? I cannot! It would make me depressed if I would have to do something for God, because I would always wonder whether it is sufficient.

So, lost sinner, you who are bothered by the fact that you are so cold and indifferent and that you cannot believe: there is yet hope! Salvation is not dependent upon you, not in any way! If you would go lost, it would be your own responsibility, but not if you would be saved. You would only be a hindrance to Him if you wished to do something for Him. No one helps Him!

Is it the miracle of miracles in your life that God was yet willing to save such a wretch as you? Were you saved by free and sovereign grace? That is wonderful and then you have no words sufficient to acknowledge such a gracious God. Therefore, in heaven, God's children will do nothing other than glorify God.

Dear reader, you must be stripped from the thought that your own efforts will help you. You must come to the Lord Jesus as an ungodly one: that is believing in Him. The Lord Jesus wants to do everything and otherwise it is valueless. He considers His price and work to be so valuable that nothing can be added from our side. If you came to Christ with something of yourself to present to Him, you did not rely on Him. Even faith is a gift!

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. (Eph. 2:8)

For further study: Eph. 2:1, 8, 9; 1 Cor. 1:29; Rom. 3:27.