Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 46 – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 – Boast In The Lord – Growing As Disciples
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 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 him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (NIV)
Nothing To Boast About
That is obvious to me. What is obvious to you? I have nothing to boast about. Why is that so obvious to you? Before I came to know you, I was nothing special. I did not stand out from the crowd. Far from it, before I came to receive you as my Savior and Lord, my life was bruised and battered and broken. Anyone taking a close look would have said that my life was a mess. In fact, some did say exactly that. So, I know that everything I have, everything I am, and everything I hope to be has and will come from you. You have showered me with your goodness, kindness, mercy and love. You have withheld no good thing from me. Have I always gotten what I wanted? No, but, I haven’t always wanted what was good for me. You have given me gifts of value that are beyond compare. Like what? You have given me your salvation. You have given me your forgiveness and cleansing. You have become my righteousness, holiness and redemption. You have adopted me into your family. You have made me to be your child. You have made it so I can come to know and love you. You are helping me to live in an intimate relationship with you. You are helping me to follow and serve you. None of things have come from myself. None of these things have been earned or merited by my efforts. You have given all of these things to me as a gift. That’s true. But you have given me even more. What else? You have given me your Spirit. You have made me alive in you. You have given me an inheritance in heaven. You have a place in heaven prepared for me. Yes, I do. For all of these things I am thankful beyond words that I can adequately express. That is very good.
What would you like to do now? I would like to brag about you. What? How can I contain myself? How can I remain silent? How can I not go and tell others about your goodness, kindness, mercy and love? I cannot remain silent. I must speak up. I want to be your witness in the world. I would like others to receive all that you have given to me. I want others to be able to come to know and love and follow and serve you. I want you to be able to do for others all that you have done for me. That is very good.
Lord, I was not wise, special or outstanding when you drew me to yourself. You took me off my dark path. You became my Savior and Lord. I give you thanks and praise for rescuing me from a life without you. I will testify to your goodness, kindness and mercy. Amen
Key Question… How are you making it a pattern in your life to give thanks for all that the Lord has done for you?
Living It Out… Humbly give thanks for and bear witness to God’s goodness, kindness and mercy.
Seeing It Happen…Have faith that the Lord chose you and has become your righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are bearing witness to God’s goodness, kindness and mercy.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you humbly give thanks and bear witness to the goodness, kindness and mercy of the Lord.
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