Let Him Who Boasts Boast in the Lord
(1 Cor. 1:26~31)

God prohibits people from boasting and lifting themselves up by being arrogant. Arrogance comes from the devil. Adam and Eve fell for the devil’s temptation and tried to be equal to God. Thus, they ruin their lives and their descendants’ lives. God allows sufferings to us to make us realize our humble state and to worship and rely on God who is the Owner of the heavens and the earth.

1. The power of one and only God
1) As the Creator, God governs and hovers over all things that He created. (Isa. 40:26)
2) God is almighty. He gives life to the dead and makes things that are not as though they were. (Rom. 4:17)

2. The characteristics of those who are chosen by God
1) Apostle Paul said to Christians in Corinth that “many people among the people who were chosen by God are not wise, not influential, and not of noble birth.” (1 Cor. 1:26)
2) The standards that God uses to choose and govern life ? God chooses the foolish things to make them better than the wise. He chooses the weak things to shame the strong. He chooses the lowly things to make them honored. (1 Cor. 1:27~29)
3) The true side of life ? It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God?that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, those who boast must only boast the Lord. (1 Cor. 1:30~31)

3. A thorn in our flesh and the life in God’s grace
1) Paul had many things to boast from a human’s perspective. (2 Corinthians 11:16~33)
2) Paul was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things. (2 Corinthians 12:1~6)
3) God allowed Paul a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming conceited. (2 Corinthians 12:7~10)

Conclusion
There is no one who deeply experienced the spiritual world like Apostle Paul. He had spiritual experiences and had amazing knowledge about the word. He had a thorn in his flesh which was allowed by God so that he will not become conceited. Due to continuous physical pain, he realized that he is just a human being and that he is weak so he cannot stand on his own. Lifting ourselves up and boasting come from the devil. We must always reflect on ourselves and live our lives humbly and that boast only the Lord.