Do you ever brag? I know that there’s a cultural expectation not to boast about ourselves, but I admit that there are times when I’m so excited about something that I still end up telling other people about it. There are also those who manage to brag in a more subtle way, looking to build themselves up without seeming like they are doing it intentionally. (Hint: usually, it’s pretty obvious, though.)
Conversely, there’s almost an expectation that parents will brag about their children. And, there are times when we are expected to share our good qualities, like in a job interview. So, culture makes this topic a little bit complicated.
Imagine the first-century Jewish or Greek person, who was trying to figure it all out themselves, but then heard – and accepted – the truth of Jesus Christ. They could look back and kick themselves, saying, “Well, I totally missed that one” or, “I didn’t see that coming!” God’s plan to save the world wasn’t like what people expected. All of humankind’s wisdom outside of God’s revelation wasn’t enough to anticipate how God chose to save the world. (Having said that, I don’t think that Paul’s goal in 1 Corinthians was to beat people up for their past.)
Even Christians who have been following Jesus for a while can benefit from the wisdom of God. We may have learned how God saved the world through Jesus’ willing sacrifice, but every new bit of wisdom that we learn about God – every time we learn a little more about Him through His Word and His involvement in our lives – is a new opportunity to set aside more worldly preconceptions that we may have believed in error, and to appreciate how God takes things we previously overlooked to accomplish much greater things than we ever could on our own.
However, even if there is nothing in our salvation process that we can take credit for (other than accepting God’s offer and following Jesus), 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 describes what Christians can brag about.
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 1:30-31 NIV
We can boast on Jesus’ behalf. Like a proud relative, we can tell other people about the amazing things that Jesus has done (both for us and for others). That’s our testimony, which doesn’t have to be fancy – just recounting what we have observed.
We can also gush about God, and how He has shown us things that don’t make sense in conventional wisdom, and might even go against what we consider to be “common sense”, but which have transformed our lives and the world around us for good.
So, if you are enjoying the abundant life that Jesus offers, remember that you didn’t earn it yourself. You are victorious over sin because He stepped in and gave you the victory. Tell others about that good news, instead of thinking that you are superior to those who haven’t yet heard it.
And, if you’re not sure that what the world offers is different from what God offers, I invite you to talk with people who have turned to Christ recently, especially if they did so later in life. Ask them what they pursued before meeting Jesus, compared to what they now know is most important.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 7, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, April 7, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 Corinthians, by Richard E. Oster, Jr. © 1995 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 