TO BOAST…OR NOT BOAST?

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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We are back in Romans, five looking at the part of the teaching that calls us to give glory to God for his great works, and to give glory to God in our times of trial and hardship. The question is, what will we do?

Dive In

In our reading of Romans 5:1-5 for today we are going to focus on the challenging truth presented in verses 3-5. Read the whole passage and then let’s dive in.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

(Romans 5:1-5 NIV11)

Recap

Why do we have peace with God? Because God became flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth and as such, his work on the cross satisfies our deepest need to be made right with God. 

Jesus Christ did not declare you forgiven, he paid a high price so that the debt created by your sins could be paid through his own sacrifice. Our forgiveness comes through the death and resurrection of God the Son, Jesus Christ.

Glory / Boast

At the end of verse two we hear an interesting idea that most Christians are not sure what to do with. The Apostle Paul says that we are to, “boast in the hope of the glory of God.” This idea of boasting is generally frowned upon in the Bible. So what does this mean? 

Greek 

It is important that we understand this idea because in verse three we hear the same word used to describe how we should approach our times of trial and hardship. The (Greek) word in question is that of Kauchaōmai.

This is a word used most often to talk about making loud and unqualified statements about the value of some object or the skill of another person. 

The English equivalent is that of boasting. Except that here, instead of making unqualified statements about ourselves, we are encouraged to boast in, brag on, be overt about the hope that we have received from the salvation supplied for us through the cross of Christ. 

Good

It is good to boast in the way that God loves us and shows us that we have been welcomed into his eternal nature and presence through the gift of salvation. Rejoice, shout it out, praise God for what he has done because this is where we draw confidence to trust in the future promises of God. 

Verse 3

In verse three we are encouraged to “glory” in our sufferings because they will eventually develop into more reasons to have hope in the faithfulness and goodness of God. 

What does it mean for us to “glory” in our struggles? 

It is the same word from verse two (Kauchaōmai). We are to boast in our hardships and trials for the Lord. We are to brag on the way that God is at work in us while we are going through hard times. 

Example

There is a great example for us in another message from the Apostle Paul that can help us understand why we should boast in our times of trial and weakness. Listen to this:

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

(2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV11)

Paul understood that in his times of trial (which he had in abundance), the Lord’s gift of grace was more easily seen and experienced in his life. These thin times allowed the work of the Spirit to be more easily seen as Paul’s natural strength and intelligence were impeded and inhibited. And so, Paul boasted in his weaknesses because these led to the strengthening of his faith and the faith of others. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for loving me so much that you died in my place, taking on my sin and rebellion against you. Your grace is unmatched and undeserved. Help me to boast in you today. To see your strength coming out of me in my times of need. Help me to speak your words when I feel like I have had enough. Let me give you glory today for the way you shine out of my thin places. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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