© 18 Colin Melbourne
Christians Are Boastful
Q: Is witnessing boasting?
A: To boast means to have great pride, self-satisfaction, and smugness in what a person; has, does, or says.
Such boasting is regarded in the world as uncouth, crass, and by the LORD as grievous sin.
It is therefore both unwise and ungodly for a Christian to boast in that manner, and never arises from the Holy Spirit, but always from the flesh, the carnal nature.
Humble Christians Boast Constantly
However; Christians ought to freely boast in the LORD, to take pride in Him; what He has, what He has done for us, and what He says we have in Him.
The Psalms teach us to always have a righteous boast in our hearts, and on our lips, Ps. 44:8, 34:1-2 KJV;
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
How much more ought New Covenant believers have a living boast (glory) in the LORD, 1 Co. 1:31, 2 Co. 10:17 KJV;
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
The Holy Ghost forbids fleshly boasting, and leads us to our shouting ground, Gal. 6:13-14 KJV;
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Isaiah prophesied that those justified by Christ: The seed of Israel, will be boasting (glorying in their Saviour), Is. 45:25 KJV;
In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Barren and broken-hearted Hannah sought the LORD with her whole heart: He put an eternal boast on her lips, 1 Sam. 2:1 KJV;
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Only for The Jews?
This good news isn’t just for the Jews, Prophet Jeremiah prophesied about even Gentile nations boasting of Christ’s mercy, Jer. 4:2, 9:23-24 KJV;
And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
The LORD has put a boast in my heart
Applying that to ourselves, through the grace of God, we boast in the LORD, witnessing boldly to all Creation;
My LORD supplies all my needs in Christ Jesus, I lack no good thing, He’s ready to give me before I even ask Him. By His stripes I was, and I am, healed; sickness has no place in my body, because of the faith of Christ, and my confidence that His Blood was shed for the remission of all my sins, and His body broken for my healing.
I am the righteousness of God in Him
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The LORD Jesus Christ has saved me, keeps me, and leads me in His everlasting love. And that is for you too. He will save and heal you now if you will only repent and believe. Let everything that has breath Praise The LORD!
2 Co. 5:2 KJV; Unless that is your heart faith, and oral confession, you will miss the mark of your high calling in Christ.
It disturbs the religious, and shocks the world, but Father delights to see us fulfil His word!
The world may call you names, mock, and throw stones, but the LORD rejoices over you, and confirms His word to whoever dares to believe, confess, and act on it.
Summary:
Witness of His goodness, glory, and love, and boast in the LORD until He comes for you.
Image courtesy of CUP
God’s Word Transforms sinners into saints: It opens the eyes of sinners to their guilt before God, and points them to the only way they can be forgiven, set free, saved, and at peace forever.
© 18 Colin Melbourne