WHERE, THEN, IS BOASTING?

Romans 3:27-28

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Romans 3:27-28, NIV

God is the source and giver of wisdom, and as led by the Holy Spirit, Paul argues logically and unquestionably that man is unrighteous, unprofitable, deceitful, destructive, and ungodly by nature. Our sin nature and the sins we commit have to be punished, and Jesus took the full and final punishment that we deserve, but it is only and exclusively and unalterably by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus that we can be fully and forever forgiven of our sins and placed in eternal union with Christ, by which we are brought back into a right relationship with our heavenly Father.

And so Paul concludes this section of his clear and uncompromising presentation of the gospel of Christ by asking a simple rhetorical question, "Where, then, is boasting?" And immediately he gives the single, unalterable answer: "it is excluded." Boasting is excluded from our salvation. Meritorious works, kindly deeds, humanitarian actions, financial con-tributions, painful penance, and everything else by which man may contrive to secure his salvation is excluded, for the one and only way to God is by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Salvation is in Christ and Christ alone.

For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness, and by faith the men and women of Hebrews 11 were all made righteous in God's eyes, but it was all and only by faith. We too are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ, as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded." God forbid that I should boast save in the death of Christ my God.

God's salvation leaves us no room for boasting. We couldn't live up to the righteous demands of the law. When we were broken and sinful, God bought our salvation by sending Jesus and having Him pay the debt of our sin. We have nothing to boast about except the overwhelmingly generous grace of God and the incredible sacrificial love of our Savior!!!

Father, thank You for this day and the redemption we have in Your Son, Jesus. Lord, open the floodgates of heaven and shine down Your abundant blessings over us and our family today. Lord, thank You for redeeming us from the righteous judgment of the law. Lord, thank You for paying our debt for sin. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for cleansing us and making us holy. Thank You, God, for Your incredible grace found through Jesus. Lord, use us to show Your amazing grace to all You bring our way today.

Father, we love You. Amen !