Boasting in the Cross

Boasting in the Cross
Words of Faith 12-12-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Corinthians 10
[17] But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." [18] For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

        Is there a place for boasting in the life of a Christian? Paul says, Yes! However, it is not boasting in oneself or a commendation of oneself. Paul quoted Jeremiah 9:24 here— "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord" just as he had done in his first letter to Corinth (1:31). 

        Boasting is illegitimate, whether it be of one's own accomplishments or status, or of another person's achievements as though they were one's own. For the Christian, only boasting "in the Lord" is legitimate— that is, boasting of what Jesus Christ has done for him. 

        As Paul put it in his letter to the Galatians— "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (6:14). 

        Our only boast is in the cross of Christ and the amazing grace of God.   Paul wrote to the church at Rome— "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done" (15:18). It was the witness of the early church to rejoice in the mighty acts of God and the way that He had opened the door for new areas to receive the Gospel (Acts 14:27).

      Self-commendation cannot be evidence or a guarantee of divine approval. Self-commendation, as practiced by Paul's adversaries, was essentially a form of disqualification. Only the person who boasts in the Lord and so gives God the glory enjoys the Lord's commendation, which is real approval.

     It is a mark of maturity in Christ to not have to pat oneself on the back, garner credit or attention, or remind people of personal contributions and achievements. 

     It is a mark of immaturity in Christ when we demand credit for achievements or remind people of our contribution in some arena of victory.

     It is a mark of Christ in us when we can rejoice in what God has done and all that the power of the cross has accomplished.

     Father God, keep my eye upon You.  Keep me rejoicing in all that You have done through me and those around me. Keep me ever aware of Your great grace and the appeal that You are making through me so that I may boast only in the cross of Christ through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.