WHERE is boasting then? is the Apostle Paul’s question in Romans 3, after having set forth man’s terrible condition before God, and His wondrous grace in justifying all who believe in Jesus. Since all alike are guilty before God, whether Jews or Gentiles, having the knowledge of God, or knowing Him not, religious or irreligious, boasting in ordinances, or glorying in their shame, the solemn sentence is given of all, “GUILTY BEFORE GOD.” Since then all are guilty, if man receives any blessing from God, it must be on the ground of pure grace, and this leaves no room for boasting on man’s part. As the apostle rightly exclaims, “It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Rom. 3:2727Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (Romans 3:27)).
This is a day of great boasting. Men boast in the advancement of the nineteenth century; of the improvements of the age; the rapid strides of science, of education, culture, morality, &c.; in fact, in every circle man has whereof to boast. Yet, solemn fact! his boast is in that which is fast ripening for judgment.
In religious circles boasting is not less marked. We hear of the advancement of religion; and surely if the outward form of profession were anything to judge by, we could heartily go with it. But the form without the power, which we see on every hand, is but the warning beacon telling us of dark days ahead; and the sign of the times, pointing to the perilous times of the last days, which are marked by self-love, boasting, pride, the love of pleasure more than that of God, and then “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:1-51This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:1‑5)).
There is much boasting in the professing Church. Like Laodicea of old, there is the saying, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” We hear of the growth of its buildings, both in quantity, size, and grandeur; of its congregations, its missionary zeal, and widespread influence of the cause. Bazaars, sacred concerts, social evenings, pleasant and attractive services, are on the increase, and are much boasted in. But alas! for its spiritual growth, its holy zeal for the glory of Christ, its separateness from the world, we look and listen in vain.
If such is man’s terrible condition before God, as we have already seen, then where is boasting? But, blessed be God, in the depths of sin in which man is lying, in all his guilt and ruin, the rich grace of God goes out to him, telling him of His wonderful love in the gift of His Son, and of the grace of Him who stooped so low, even to the death of the cross, to give Himself as a sacrifice for sin. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” Oh, amazing truth! the mighty torrent of God’s love is flowing out to guilty rebel sinners, since for such Christ died. Have you, dear reader, laid hold of this blessed fact?
Where then again we ask, is basting? There can be none of man’s part; but faith takes hold of this wondrous fact, and boasts in the blessed God, and in Him who came to seek and save the lost.
E. E. N.