Scripture Reading: Galatians 6:11-15
Necessity Excludes Boasting
Intro.
1. We struggle with the sin of pride, 1 Jno. 2:16.
2. Pride may display itself in boastful words and actions; in self-righteous assurance of self and condemnation of others, Lk. 18:9-12.
3. On the other hand, there are those who teach that it is boastful to say obedience is essential to salvation; that by doing so we are working/earning salvation, and boasting in our ability to save ourselves.
I. WHAT IS BOASTING?
A. To Take Pride in Something; to Boast of that which Constitutes a Source of Pride. To honor something/someone; to glory in.
1. Boasting is not inherently wrong, 2 Cor. 7:4; 8:24; 2 Thess. 1:4.
2. Boasting can be wrong (sin), Jas. 4:16.
II. BOASTING IN OURSELVES OR BOASTING IN GOD?
A. Justification by Works would Allow for Boasting, Rom. 4:1-4.
1. Because one would be sinless. If, by sinless perfection (perfect obedience), Abraham earned his righteous standing with God, then he could boast before God that he "saved" himself. This was not the case, Rom. 3:20, 23, 27.
2. This is not the case for us, either, cf. Eph. 2:9; Titus 3:4-5.
3. Therefore, boasting of this kind of "work" is (forever) excluded, Rom. 3:27-28.
B. Sin Eliminates Boasting in Oneself and Prompts Boasting Only in the Gospel of Christ, Gal. 6:14.
III. PRINCIPLE: NECESSITY EXCLUDES BOASTING.
A. "Necessity is Laid on Me", 1 Cor. 9:16.
-When Paul preached the gospel he obeyed the Lord; He had no room to boast. Yet, it was necessary for him to preach to obey Jesus.
B. When Sinners Obey God, there is No Room to Boast, Lk. 17:10.
1. We have no right or reason to boast in ourselves; only in God.
2. But, it is necessary to obey Christ (gospel) to be saved, Heb. 5:8-9; Rom. 6:17-18.
3. Therefore, when we do what is necessary (obey Christ) and are saved, there is no room for boasting. (Have not earned salvation.)
-We can only boast in the love, mercy and grace of God.
C. Applying this Principle.
1. Sinners must believe in order to be saved, Jno. 3:16; 6:27-29; 8:24; Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 16:30-31.
a. It is necessary for sinners to believe in order to be saved.
b. Since "necessity excludes boasting", sinners who believe cannot boast of saving themselves.
2. Sinners must repent in order to be saved, Lk. 5:32; 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9.
a. It is necessary for sinners to repent in order to be saved.
b. Since "necessity excludes boasting", sinners who repent cannot boast of saving themselves.
3. Sinners must confess faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (and thus, the Lord) in order to be saved, Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37.
a. It is necessary for sinners to confess faith in order to be saved.
b. Since "necessity excludes boasting", sinners who confess faith cannot boast of saving themselves.
4. Sinners must be baptized in order to be saved, Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Pet. 3:21.
a. It is necessary for sinners to be baptized in order to be saved.
b. Since "necessity excludes boasting", sinners who are baptized to be saved cannot boast of saving themselves.
5. As children of God we must be faithful to God in order to be saved eternally, 1 Cor. 4:2; 10:12; Gal. 5:4; Rev. 2:10.
a. It is necessary for us to be faithful in order to be saved eternally.
b. Since "necessity excludes boasting", when we are faithful to God we cannot boast of anything.
6. We must provide for our families, 1 Tim. 5:8.
a. It is necessary for us to provide for our families to be saved.
b. Since "necessity excludes boasting", when we provide for our families we cannot boast of anything.
Conclusion
When we obey Jesus we are unprofitable servants. We have only done our duty, Lk. 17:10.
(Source: "Necessity Excludes Boasting!", Carrol Ray Sutton, "The Instructor", November, 2015)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: December 17, 2015