Where, then, is boasting?

There are some things in scripture and in God's plan that are so deeply spiritual they cut to the very core of who we are and how we think. Justification is one of these things. So many questions: How are we justified? Why are we justified? Why are we guilty before being justified? Can we boast that we are justified? 

That justice even exists in God's plan tells us one very important thing: it is needed. We are guilty. We are fallen. We are separated from God. Sin is the wall between us and our Maker. We cannot get to Him because He is Holy. And we are not. A debt must be paid for this wall of sin and it cannot come from us. 

Paul's letter to the Romans can be a bit confusing. The first 4 chapters are written to the Jews in Rome. Paul was addressing their misunderstanding about justification. They continued to think justification came by works, by status, and by obedience to the law. Paul declares the good news is much bigger now; much broader and wider than a handful of Jews. Sure, the Law came through them, the "Chosen" people. But now the grace of God extends even to the Gentiles, those not of Jewish descent. Now we are all God's Chosen people. Justification by the blood of Christ now reaches all who believe.

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. -3:21

It's super clear. But still, if you've been bragging your whole life about being a Jew you might have trouble. It might now even seem fair. You had the bloodline of Abraham before the blood of Christ. It was enough for your parents and their parents before them. And what about the tedious obedience to all those laws?!? Jews did that. Not Gentiles. Wait. What? Gentiles get a free pass?!? After all these years, decades and centuries even?! Now the Good News is getting personal. That is why Paul continues with this: 

27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 

There are some things in scripture and in God's plan that are so deeply spiritual they cut to the very core of who we are and how we think. Justification is one of these things.The Jews needed to hear that they were no better than the Gentiles because both are justified by faith in the blood of Christ. What about today? In the world we live in are there not those who think they are better than others? Maybe we are tempted to think like the Jews did, that maybe we are better than some other "types" of Christians. Yes. Unfortunately. Boasting is not excluded. But it should be. 

Is God the God of your church only? 

Is God the God of missionaries only? 

                      ... of worship leaders only?

                      ... of evangelists only? 

                      ... of the poor only?

Is God the God of the _______ only? 

The list could go on ... indefinitely. Just fill in the blank. 

If you have faith in Christ and in His blood, then, according to the Gospel laid out here in scripture, by the Spirit of God, you are justified!! Don't listen to those who tell you otherwise; those who place conditions on your salvation. There is only One condition. You are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb! -- not by works, by status, or by obedience to the law. 

Where, then, is boasting? 

Boasting is excluded because we are included by faith.