Wednesday, 2 April 2014
…that no flesh should glory in His presence.1 Corinthians 1:29
For several verses, Paul has been explaining how God chooses the weak, the foolish, and the despised to shame the mighty, the intellectual, and the noble. Because of this, there is no boasting before Him. If such as these are chosen and not the others, then they are obviously considered lesser in any given category than those others and so they can’t boast that they were somehow great.
But there is also the fact that some nobles are Christians, some mighty are Christians, and some highly intellectual people are as well. How then can this statement be considered an all-encompassing truth? The reason is that those who are in such positions had to step down from where they were – away from those around them, and humble themselves just like those of lesser status. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. All are bound under sin and so no one can reach higher than any other in expectation of being saved. Therefore, those who are of the higher position on earth were actually more humbled in their status before being saved than those of lower position.
As Paul tells us in Romans 3:27 – “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.” In his ever-consistent way of explaining theology, Paul shows that it is faith which saves and so regardless of status, or works of the law, or any other thing, all must ultimately and completely credit God for their salvation.
For this reason, “no flesh should glory in His presence.” The term “flesh” is being used to consider the whole man. All who stand before God have nothing in and of themselves which they can glory (or boast) in. When the redeemed stand in His presence, we will not glory in ourselves, we will give the glory to God. As this is absolutely truthful for us now and certain for us at that time, then let us endeavor to live as if it is true. In all things, let us give glory to God.
Life application: If you feel that you somehow merit your salvation (because of who you are), or if you feel that you must somehow merit your salvation (through works), they you probably aren’t saved. Salvation is a gift bestowed upon one who does not deserve it. Accept the gift and rest in the work of Christ alone.
Lord, Your word says that I am saved by grace through faith and that this is a gift. I accept that I stand justified before You completely and wholly on the merits of Jesus Christ alone. I rest in what You have done. Thank You for the cross of Christ. Amen.