If I Must Boast, I Will Boast In Christ!

“Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded! By what principle? Of works? No, but by the principle of faith! For we consider that a person is declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles too? Yes, of the Gentiles too! Since God is one, he will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! Instead we uphold the law.” Romans 3:27-31 NET

Many Christians assert that the Old Testament has become irrelevant under the grace of the New Testament; however, this belief is a profound misunderstanding. The Old Testament is a crucial foundation that illuminates Christ’s life and mission, offering significant insights that shape our understanding of God’s grace, mercy, and character.

For instance, numerous prophecies in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 53, vividly foreshadow the suffering servant who would take on humanity’s sins. Early Christian leaders, including Paul and Peter, diligently referenced the Old Testament scriptures in their teachings, allowing them to grasp the fullness of God’s plan for redemption through Jesus Christ.

The New Testament does not exist in isolation; it is intricately woven from the fabric of Old Testament revelations. It recounts how Jesus fulfills the law and the prophets, demonstrating the continuity of God’s promise. The Old Testament provides a rich backdrop that helps us appreciate the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and the universal nature of His mission—a mission aimed not only at the Jewish people but also all nations, as articulated in passages like Matthew 28:19.

By studying and understanding the Old Testament, we gain a deeper appreciation for the narrative of salvation, the unchanging nature of God’s love, and the profound themes of hope and redemption that resonate throughout the Old and New Testaments. Embracing this scriptural legacy strengthens our faith and enriches our spiritual journey, enabling us to experience the fullness of God’s grace in our lives.

The book of Revelation is intricately woven with descriptions and analogies that are deeply rooted in the Old Testament. This rich intertextuality means that a thorough understanding of the Old Testament is crucial for unraveling the symbolism and imagery throughout the book. John, the author, intentionally employed familiar symbolic language, often referencing well-known narratives, prophetic visions, and covenant themes, ensuring that his original audience, primarily first-century Jewish Christians, could easily relate to his message.

Today, to fully grasp the essence of Revelation, it is essential to set aside contemporary Western interpretations, which risk distorting the text’s meaning. Instead, we must immerse ourselves in John’s world’s historical and cultural context, characterized by ancient Near Eastern Jewish thought and traditions. This framework included understanding apocalyptic literature, the significance of prophetic fulfillment, and the overarching themes of redemption and judgment that pervade the Old Testament.

By adopting this ancient perspective, we can begin to uncover the profound intricacies, rich symbolism, and layered meanings within Revelation, allowing us to see how its message powerfully resonates with the entire New Testament narrative.

I deeply resonate with Paul’s powerful statement: “We do not nullify the law through faith. Absolutely not! We uphold it.” This assertion is crucial; Paul is not dismissing the grace of Christ in exchange for the law. Instead, he highlights the indispensable role of the law as a schoolmaster—a guiding force that leads humanity to salvation in Christ. Without the law, the grace of God would lose its profound context. Mercy would cease to be a cherished gift and instead become an entitlement, undermining its essence. The law outlines what it means to be holy and establishes the standard by which we can approach God.

Consider the implications of a world devoid of the law. Without its guiding principles, we would remain unaware of the specific characteristics and consequences that govern how to approach God and cultivate a personal relationship with Him. This is critical because the law reveals the attributes necessary for spiritual intimacy with the divine, characteristics that are fundamentally intended for divine beings rather than ordinary humans. The truth is that, in our natural state, we cannot attain the divine nature through our efforts or the natural ways of this world.

Only through Jesus Christ can we experience rebirth as spiritual beings who are truly acceptable to God. This transformation occurs when we willingly submit our minds to the influence of Christ. As we align our thoughts and intentions with Jesus, our natural selves embody the incorruptible nature described in the law. The goal has never been about achieving perfection in our physical bodies through being better; our bodies are inherently flawed; rather, it is about growing in spiritual perfection—becoming more like Christ in our hearts and actions. This profound journey toward spiritual maturity emphasizes the significance of the law in our lives and the transformative power of grace.

It remains to be seen whether the incorruptible nature encompasses our bodies, which have yet to be fully revealed and restored. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the Apostle Paul fervently prays, “Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy, and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus.” This prayer highlights the integral relationship between our spirit, soul, and body, emphasizing that our holistic transformation is vital as we await Christ’s return.

We experience spiritual awakening through the transformative touch of the Holy Spirit, which breathes new life into our spirits and grants us the ability to connect deeply with God. As we journey in faith, we continually renew our minds, aligning our thoughts and actions with Christ’s words and gradually becoming mirrors of His character and grace. Each day presents us with opportunities to reflect His love, wisdom, and righteousness in our lives.

The ultimate promise of redemption also includes preserving and transforming our bodies, a truth that offers profound hope. Jesus cautions us about the unpredictability of His return: “But as for that day and hour, no one knows it—not even the angels in heaven—except the Father alone. For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.” In Noah’s time, the world was caught off guard by the impending flood; only Noah and his family were forewarned and prepared, illustrating the importance of vigilance and faith.

Just as Noah and his family were divinely preserved to fulfill God’s purpose of repopulating the earth, we, too, can trust in God’s promise of bodily redemption. This redemptive promise signals the redemption of our physical bodies and the assurance of a future where we will exist in a state of perfect health, free from sin and decay. Embracing this truth, we await the glorious day of Christ’s return, when all will be made new.

The boasting that Paul refers to centers on a deep-seated confidence in the promises of God, both those that have been fulfilled and those that are yet to come. He is not merely expressing a desire or a hopeful wish; instead, he firmly believes in the certainty of God’s promises as undeniable truths. Throughout history, God has consistently illustrated His faithfulness, particularly in His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Abraham, a man of extraordinary faith, trusted that God could accomplish what seemed impossible, believing wholeheartedly in the divine plan laid out for him.

For us today, this same assurance remains. We stand on the promises of God, confident that He can achieve extraordinary transformations in our lives that far surpass our greatest aspirations. God’s commitment to us goes beyond simple blessings; He actively works to mold us into His image, empowering us to embrace His divine nature. This profound relationship transforms our identities and opens the door to a life filled with purpose and abundance, as we lean into the incredible possibilities that God promises us.

Stephen Barnett