“… just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” (1 Cor. 1:31 NASB)
The narrative shared in 1 Kings 16 depicts a low period in Israel’s history, documenting a succession of wicked kings who lead God’s people deeper and deeper into idolatry. The last one in this list was so degenerate, in fact, that Scripture describes him as the one “who did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him,” (1 Kings 16:30).
Biblical examples like these expose the naked reality of the extent of our depravity apart from God, a degenerate condition graphically pictured further in Romans 3:
There is none righteous, not even one.
There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God.
All have turned aside, together they have become useless.
There is none who does good, there is not even one.
Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving.
The poison of asps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
Their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths,
And the path of peace they have not known.
There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Rom. 3:10-18 NASB)
This passage in Romans not only describes the wickedness of Ahab; it is also an accurate representation of the depths of our own depravity apart from God. Further, because it is only by His grace and mercy that we are made righteous before Him, we can take no other position but one of humility (2 Thess. 1:12). As the great early church preacher Chrysostom said, “Humility is the foundation of Christian virtue.”
In addition, any spiritual progress in my life is a direct outgrowth of His Spirit in me, because He alone is capable of producing the fruit of righteousness in me. It is, in fact, “the fruit of the Spirit” – and not anything I can produce – that sanctifies me (Gal. 5:22).
Praise God, that in His abounding grace and infinite mercy He made Christ… who knew no sin… to be sin for me, that I might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). Knowing that I am what I am only by the grace of God (1 Cor. 15:10), why would I do anything less than boast in my Lord!” (1 Cor. 1:31). Let us continually work toward adoring God for all His blessings in Jesus Christ.
- Lord, let me glory in Your grace, let me glory in You. The height of such grace is when my soul delights in the Lord all the day (Psalm 34:1-2). This is a great comfort and strength to my soul. Help me through godly meditation rise to that height.
- The final outcome for all Your purposes, even the salvation of man, is for Your own glory. All things are said to be not only of You and through You, but for You. You frequently announce Your determination to make Your glory known. “As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord,” (Num. 14:21). “For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it; I will not give my glory unto another,” (Isa. 48:11). Even though men are saved from sin, they are saved for Your glory, and redemption is designed to reveal Your glory (1 Cor. 1:26-31; Eph. 2:8-10). Your glory is the end of all You do.
- Therefore, that religion which only respects Your glory is and must necessarily be the only true religion. This is the reason I place my faith in the Christianity demonstrated in the Gospel. This body of doctrine does not allow man to glory in himself, but shows that whoever glories, must glory in You. That is true religion.
Further References for 1 Cor. 1:31
Jer. 9:23-24; 2 Cor 10:17; Ps. 34:2, 44:8; Isa. 45:25; Gal 6:14
