Where Is Boasting Then?

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 

Romans 3:27-28 

Paul is concluding his thesis statement. As he does, he sets himself up for his presentation of justification by faith which will follow in succeeding chapters. Having spoken of God’s plan and Christ’s execution of that plan whereby God can be just and the justifier of sinners, Paul makes certain to close the door on all forms of self-congratulation. Thus, he begins his closing statement with, ‘Where is boasting then?’ He follows that with the definitive statement, ‘It is excluded.’ Why is he so definite? It is because we humans love to think that we are somehow contributors to our acceptance with God. This has become endemic as humanity has moved farther and farther away from the gospel of free grace. Paul cannot overemphasize that salvation is of the Lord, and that justification is by faith alone. Later, in Ephesians, he will explain that even faith is the gift of God. He speaks of the law of faith here, going so far as to say, ‘a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.’ Thus, there is no room for boasting and every reason to make much of the grace of God. This will inevitably bring us to make much of Christ without Whom there would be no justification. Christ is all.  

Our Glorious, Sovereign God, 
we rejoice that You have planned every detail of salvation. 
We praise You that You have guaranteed its completion.

 Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning