Why Do Christians Come into Being from Nothing? 1 Corinthians 1:26–31, Part 1

>> This is our first session on 1 >> This is our first session on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. Corinthians 1:26-31. Corinthians 1:26-31. And you may remember And you may remember And you may remember last time we last time we last time we summed up the argument that goes way summed up the argument that goes way summed up the argument that goes way back to the beginning of Paul's concern back to the beginning of Paul's concern back to the beginning of Paul's concern about disunity in the church. And I about disunity in the church. And I about disunity in the church. And I pointed to seven arguments that he was pointed to seven arguments that he was pointed to seven arguments that he was using to support his using to support his using to support his plea for plea for plea for not saying I'm of all, I am of Paul, I not saying I'm of all, I am of Paul, I not saying I'm of all, I am of Paul, I am of of Cephas, I'm of Apollos. And now am of of Cephas, I'm of Apollos. And now am of of Cephas, I'm of Apollos. And now we have an eighth argument we have an eighth argument we have an eighth argument in the same in the same in the same chain of thinking. chain of thinking. chain of thinking. For For For consider your calling. consider your calling. consider your calling. So, look at and think about So, look at and think about So, look at and think about God's calling on your life. And God's calling on your life. And God's calling on your life. And this is a reference back this is a reference back this is a reference back to the preceding couple of verses where to the preceding couple of verses where to the preceding couple of verses where it says it says it says Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom. Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom. Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom. We preach Christ crucified as a We preach Christ crucified as a We preach Christ crucified as a stumbling block to Jews, folly to stumbling block to Jews, folly to stumbling block to Jews, folly to Gentiles. But to those who are called Gentiles. But to those who are called Gentiles. But to those who are called that's the Christians that's the Christians that's the Christians both Jews and Greeks both Jews and Greeks both Jews and Greeks God by that call has enabled you to see God by that call has enabled you to see God by that call has enabled you to see that Christ is the power of God and the that Christ is the power of God and the that Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. He's not weak and he's wisdom of God. He's not weak and he's wisdom of God. He's not weak and he's not foolish.

not foolish. not foolish. He is power and wisdom and you know that He is power and wisdom and you know that He is power and wisdom and you know that because this call opened your eyes. Now, because this call opened your eyes. Now, because this call opened your eyes. Now, to underline that and to confirm it in to underline that and to confirm it in to underline that and to confirm it in their experience, he says, "Consider their experience, he says, "Consider their experience, he says, "Consider it." it." it." And then he tells them how. And then he tells them how. And then he tells them how. Consider your calling, brothers. Consider your calling, brothers. Consider your calling, brothers. Not many of you Not many of you Not many of you were wise were wise were wise according to the flesh. Not many of you according to the flesh. Not many of you according to the flesh. Not many of you were powerful. were powerful. were powerful. Not many of you were of noble birth. Not many of you were of noble birth. Not many of you were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the But God chose what is foolish in the But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. God chose what world to shame the wise. God chose what world to shame the wise. God chose what is weak in the world to shame the is weak in the world to shame the is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low strong. God chose what is low strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things and despised in the world, even things and despised in the world, even things that are not to bring to nothing things that are not to bring to nothing things that are not to bring to nothing things that are, that are, that are, so that so that so that huge purpose clause. huge purpose clause. huge purpose clause. So that So that So that no flesh no flesh no flesh might boast in the presence of God.

might boast in the presence of God. might boast in the presence of God. We're going to stop there and deal with We're going to stop there and deal with We're going to stop there and deal with this this this next time. next time. next time. Father, I pray Father, I pray Father, I pray that as we ponder our calling, that as we ponder our calling, that as we ponder our calling, you would grant us to be amazed you would grant us to be amazed you would grant us to be amazed that we are called, that we can see that that we are called, that we can see that that we are called, that we can see that Christ is power and wisdom, Christ is power and wisdom, Christ is power and wisdom, and that it isn't owing to anything and that it isn't owing to anything and that it isn't owing to anything in us at all in which we might boast. in us at all in which we might boast. in us at all in which we might boast. Would you deliver us entirely Would you deliver us entirely Would you deliver us entirely from boasting in the presence of God in from boasting in the presence of God in from boasting in the presence of God in anything that we in our own nature might anything that we in our own nature might anything that we in our own nature might bring to salvation. I ask this in Jesus' bring to salvation. I ask this in Jesus' bring to salvation. I ask this in Jesus' name. name. name. Amen. Amen. Amen. So when he calls them to consider their So when he calls them to consider their So when he calls them to consider their calling, calling, calling, he points them he points them he points them to to to God's choice God's choice God's choice not to call not to call not to call the wise, the wise, the wise, not to call not to call not to call the powerful, and not to call the noble the powerful, and not to call the noble the powerful, and not to call the noble birth. This qualification right here, birth. This qualification right here, birth. This qualification right here, according to the flesh, according to the flesh, according to the flesh, we'll be meeting that word several times we'll be meeting that word several times we'll be meeting that word several times in in in in Corinthians. It's very common in in Corinthians. It's very common in in Corinthians. It's very common in Paul. that means Paul. that means Paul. that means wisdom wisdom wisdom as you are by mere human nature. Flesh as you are by mere human nature. Flesh as you are by mere human nature. Flesh in Paul in Paul in Paul ordinarily means

ordinarily means ordinarily means human nature apart from God. human nature apart from God. human nature apart from God. Here's a couple of examples. Here's a couple of examples. Here's a couple of examples. I I linger on it because it's such an I I linger on it because it's such an I I linger on it because it's such an important term. important term. important term. God has done what the law weakened by God has done what the law weakened by God has done what the law weakened by the flesh the flesh the flesh could not do, sending his own son in the could not do, sending his own son in the could not do, sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, likeness. likeness of sinful flesh, likeness. likeness of sinful flesh, likeness. There was no sin in the son, but he did There was no sin in the son, but he did There was no sin in the son, but he did have flesh. have flesh. have flesh. So, it's like our flesh, but it wasn't So, it's like our flesh, but it wasn't So, it's like our flesh, but it wasn't sinful. sinful. sinful. In sinful flesh and for sin, he In sinful flesh and for sin, he In sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh condemned sin in the flesh condemned sin in the flesh in in his mortal human body in in his mortal human body in in his mortal human body in order that the righteousness in order that the righteousness in order that the righteousness requirement of the law might be requirement of the law might be requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not according fulfilled in us who walk not according fulfilled in us who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the to the flesh, but according to the to the flesh, but according to the spirit. So, there's the great contrast. spirit. So, there's the great contrast. spirit. So, there's the great contrast. Walking by the spirit or walking by the Walking by the spirit or walking by the Walking by the spirit or walking by the flesh. Walking in the leadership of God, flesh. Walking in the leadership of God, flesh. Walking in the leadership of God, walking in the leadership of who you are walking in the leadership of who you are walking in the leadership of who you are without God. For those who live without God. For those who live without God. For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds according to the flesh, set their minds according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, and those on the things of the flesh, and those on the things of the flesh, and those who live according to the spirit, set who live according to the spirit, set who live according to the spirit, set their minds on the things of the spirit.

their minds on the things of the spirit. their minds on the things of the spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is For to set the mind on the flesh is For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the spirit death, but to set the mind on the spirit death, but to set the mind on the spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is is life and peace. For the mind that is is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God. So, set on the flesh is hostile to God. So, set on the flesh is hostile to God. So, that's who we are by nature. that's who we are by nature. that's who we are by nature. Human beings Human beings Human beings in the flesh, that is minus God, are not in the flesh, that is minus God, are not in the flesh, that is minus God, are not just indifferent, we are anti-God. just indifferent, we are anti-God. just indifferent, we are anti-God. That's the deep mark of the natural man, That's the deep mark of the natural man, That's the deep mark of the natural man, the flesh. For it does not submit to the flesh. For it does not submit to the flesh. For it does not submit to God's law, and indeed it cannot. And God's law, and indeed it cannot. And God's law, and indeed it cannot. And those who are in the flesh cannot please those who are in the flesh cannot please those who are in the flesh cannot please God, because the flesh God, because the flesh God, because the flesh is is is human nature minus human nature minus human nature minus God. Or here it is, not in the use of God. Or here it is, not in the use of God. Or here it is, not in the use of the word flesh, but the use of the word the word flesh, but the use of the word the word flesh, but the use of the word natural. natural. natural. The natural person, this is 1 The natural person, this is 1 The natural person, this is 1 Corinthians 2:14. The natural person Corinthians 2:14. The natural person Corinthians 2:14. The natural person does not accept the things of the spirit does not accept the things of the spirit does not accept the things of the spirit of God. of God. of God. For they are folly to him. For they are folly to him. For they are folly to him. So apart from God and his spirit So apart from God and his spirit So apart from God and his spirit the flesh, the natural person, regards the flesh, the natural person, regards the flesh, the natural person, regards the things of God like the word of the the things of God like the word of the the things of God like the word of the cross as foolishness.

cross as foolishness. cross as foolishness. And he's not able to understand them And he's not able to understand them And he's not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. because they are spiritually discerned. because they are spiritually discerned. We need the effect of the Holy Spirit in We need the effect of the Holy Spirit in We need the effect of the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to discern the value our lives in order to discern the value our lives in order to discern the value of the things of the spirit. The of the things of the spirit. The of the things of the spirit. The spiritual person that's the opposite of spiritual person that's the opposite of spiritual person that's the opposite of the natural person is the person who has the natural person is the person who has the natural person is the person who has the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit influencing him and guiding him. The influencing him and guiding him. The influencing him and guiding him. The spiritual person judges all things, but spiritual person judges all things, but spiritual person judges all things, but is himself judged by no one. So when it is himself judged by no one. So when it is himself judged by no one. So when it says here says here says here not many of you were wise according to not many of you were wise according to not many of you were wise according to the flesh the flesh the flesh he's simply saying he's simply saying he's simply saying I'm talking about ordinary worldly I'm talking about ordinary worldly I'm talking about ordinary worldly wisdom. wisdom. wisdom. This is This is high This is This is high This is This is high intellect This is high This is high position position position of power and this is high and this is high class class class or family.

So when God So when God called people into his called people into his called people into his family family family he didn't go about saying, "I've got to he didn't go about saying, "I've got to he didn't go about saying, "I've got to have wise people. I've got to have have wise people. I've got to have have wise people. I've got to have powerful people. I've got to have people powerful people. I've got to have people powerful people. I've got to have people that are really noble in their that are really noble in their that are really noble in their pedigree." He renounced all of that. And pedigree." He renounced all of that. And pedigree." He renounced all of that. And what did he do? what did he do? what did he do? And he's going to say why he did that And he's going to say why he did that And he's going to say why he did that when he gets here. when he gets here. when he gets here. But let's just keep going. But let's just keep going. But let's just keep going. What did he do? He shifts from the word What did he do? He shifts from the word What did he do? He shifts from the word calling to the word choosing. God chose. calling to the word choosing. God chose. calling to the word choosing. God chose. God chose. God chose. God chose. God chose. God chose. God chose. And he did that And he did that And he did that perhaps to draw attention to the fact perhaps to draw attention to the fact perhaps to draw attention to the fact that behind the calling, which is an that behind the calling, which is an that behind the calling, which is an event in our experience, event in our experience, event in our experience, God acts in our hearts to call into God acts in our hearts to call into God acts in our hearts to call into being faith. being faith. being faith. There is behind that a decision of God There is behind that a decision of God There is behind that a decision of God to choose us. to choose us. to choose us. So, here's an example of how those two So, here's an example of how those two So, here's an example of how those two fit together in 2 Thessalonians.

fit together in 2 Thessalonians. fit together in 2 Thessalonians. We ought always to give thanks to God We ought always to give thanks to God We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, for you, brothers, beloved by the Lord, because God chose you because God chose you because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved or from as the first fruits to be saved or from as the first fruits to be saved or from the beginning to be saved the beginning to be saved the beginning to be saved through sanctification through sanctification through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the by the Spirit and through belief in the by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. To this he called you truth. To this he called you truth. To this he called you through our gospel so that you may through our gospel so that you may through our gospel so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, first he chose you and then Christ. So, first he chose you and then Christ. So, first he chose you and then he called you. That's the same dynamic he called you. That's the same dynamic he called you. That's the same dynamic that's going on here. Consider your that's going on here. Consider your that's going on here. Consider your calling. calling. calling. God chose. God chose. God chose. Now, God chose. God chose. God chose. Now, God chose. God chose. God chose. Now, what what did God choose? What did he what what did God choose? What did he what what did God choose? What did he call? call? call? He called what is foolish. what is foolish. He called what is weak. He called what is weak. He called what is weak. He called what is And this is He called what is And this is He called what is And this is interesting. interesting. interesting. There are three characteristics that There are three characteristics that There are three characteristics that correspond to this. So, that the foolish correspond to this. So, that the foolish correspond to this. So, that the foolish corresponds to the wise.

corresponds to the wise. corresponds to the wise. The weak corresponds Oops. Didn't do The weak corresponds Oops. Didn't do The weak corresponds Oops. Didn't do that right. that right. that right. The weak corresponds to the powerful. The weak corresponds to the powerful. The weak corresponds to the powerful. Now, the what corresponds to the noble Now, the what corresponds to the noble Now, the what corresponds to the noble birth? Three things. birth? Three things. birth? Three things. He chose what is low. He chose what is low. He chose what is low. So, this is So, this is So, this is a highborn and this is lowborn. This is a highborn and this is lowborn. This is a highborn and this is lowborn. This is a a real blessed family that is it goes a a real blessed family that is it goes a a real blessed family that is it goes way back, lots of rich people in it. way back, lots of rich people in it. way back, lots of rich people in it. Lot of wellborn people. And this is a Lot of wellborn people. And this is a Lot of wellborn people. And this is a family that's all broken to pieces, family that's all broken to pieces, family that's all broken to pieces, right? right? right? It's just a mess. It's just a mess. It's just a mess. Illegitimate children. There's there's nothing to point to here There's there's nothing to point to here by way of by way of by way of noble birth. noble birth. noble birth. But then it gets worse. I think there's But then it gets worse. I think there's But then it gets worse. I think there's a progression backward here a progression backward here a progression backward here from low to despised. from low to despised. from low to despised. And it's interesting here that that uh And it's interesting here that that uh And it's interesting here that that uh he would choose the despised he would choose the despised he would choose the despised because it calls to mind this Jesus is because it calls to mind this Jesus is because it calls to mind this Jesus is the stone that was despised by you the the stone that was despised by you the the stone that was despised by you the builders.

builders. builders. Rejected by the builders, which has Rejected by the builders, which has Rejected by the builders, which has become the cornerstone. This is the same become the cornerstone. This is the same become the cornerstone. This is the same word. word. word. Despised. Jesus was despised and he Despised. Jesus was despised and he Despised. Jesus was despised and he chose the despised. And then, thirdly, chose the despised. And then, thirdly, chose the despised. And then, thirdly, even things that are not. So, you go even things that are not. So, you go even things that are not. So, you go from low from low from low to despised to nonexistent. to despised to nonexistent. to despised to nonexistent. That's amazing. That's amazing. That's amazing. In other words, he Paul takes the In other words, he Paul takes the In other words, he Paul takes the occasion of the opposite of noble birth occasion of the opposite of noble birth occasion of the opposite of noble birth to push the to push the to push the uh uh uh no-count qualification to the absolute no-count qualification to the absolute no-count qualification to the absolute limit, right? Namely, nothingness. limit, right? Namely, nothingness. limit, right? Namely, nothingness. God chooses not just the low, not just God chooses not just the low, not just God chooses not just the low, not just the despised, he chooses nothingness the despised, he chooses nothingness the despised, he chooses nothingness and makes it something and makes it something and makes it something to bring to nothing things that are. to bring to nothing things that are. to bring to nothing things that are. So, So, So, the contrast then is God the contrast then is God the contrast then is God chose what is foolish chose what is foolish chose what is foolish to shame wise.

to shame wise. to shame wise. God chose what is weak to shame strong. God chose what is weak to shame strong. God chose what is weak to shame strong. God chose what is low, despised, God chose what is low, despised, God chose what is low, despised, even things that are not. And then he even things that are not. And then he even things that are not. And then he shifts gears from shaming to say to shifts gears from shaming to say to shifts gears from shaming to say to bring to nothing bring to nothing bring to nothing things that are. things that are. things that are. Not just going to shame them. He's going Not just going to shame them. He's going Not just going to shame them. He's going to make them as though not being. He's saying, it seems to me that He's saying, it seems to me that wise people wise people wise people and strong people and strong people and strong people are as it were standing around before are as it were standing around before are as it were standing around before the teams are chosen, the teams are chosen, the teams are chosen, and they expect to be chosen first. Like and they expect to be chosen first. Like and they expect to be chosen first. Like when you're picking up sides on a team, when you're picking up sides on a team, when you're picking up sides on a team, I'll take you, I'll take you, and the I'll take you, I'll take you, and the I'll take you, I'll take you, and the and the weak person gets chosen last. and the weak person gets chosen last. and the weak person gets chosen last. It's always embarrassing. You know, you It's always embarrassing. You know, you It's always embarrassing. You know, you go play right field because you can't go play right field because you can't go play right field because you can't catch the ball anyway. It's always catch the ball anyway. It's always catch the ball anyway. It's always humiliating to be chosen last. And humiliating to be chosen last. And humiliating to be chosen last. And they're expecting to be chosen first.

they're expecting to be chosen first. they're expecting to be chosen first. And God turns it around and reverses the And God turns it around and reverses the And God turns it around and reverses the expectations, expectations, expectations, and he chooses the foolish and he chooses the foolish and he chooses the foolish and the people that are expecting to be and the people that are expecting to be and the people that are expecting to be chosen first are chosen last, and that's chosen first are chosen last, and that's chosen first are chosen last, and that's the kind of shame he's talking about. And then And then the choosing of things that are not is the choosing of things that are not is the choosing of things that are not is the most amazing here, and I think the most amazing here, and I think the most amazing here, and I think Paul has chosen this even things that Paul has chosen this even things that Paul has chosen this even things that are not in order to draw attention to are not in order to draw attention to are not in order to draw attention to the absolute freedom and sovereignty of the absolute freedom and sovereignty of the absolute freedom and sovereignty of God in bringing believers into God in bringing believers into God in bringing believers into existence. existence. existence. He doesn't just find foolish people to He doesn't just find foolish people to He doesn't just find foolish people to make believers. And he doesn't just find make believers. And he doesn't just find make believers. And he doesn't just find weak people to make believers. He finds weak people to make believers. He finds weak people to make believers. He finds nothing nothing nothing to make believers. to make believers. to make believers. Here's an example of the way he talks. Here's an example of the way he talks. Here's an example of the way he talks. Abraham is the father of us all Abraham is the father of us all Abraham is the father of us all as it is written as it is written as it is written God is speaking now. I have made you the God is speaking now. I have made you the God is speaking now. I have made you the father of many nations father of many nations father of many nations in the presence of the God whom he in the presence of the God whom he in the presence of the God whom he believed who gives life to the dead believed who gives life to the dead believed who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do and calls into existence things that do and calls into existence things that do not exist.

not exist. not exist. Isaac was an impossible child. He didn't Isaac was an impossible child. He didn't Isaac was an impossible child. He didn't exist. exist. exist. Abraham was too old. Sarah was barren. Abraham was too old. Sarah was barren. Abraham was too old. Sarah was barren. This child is not going to come into This child is not going to come into This child is not going to come into being. And God chooses non-being and being. And God chooses non-being and being. And God chooses non-being and every possible obstacle in the way and every possible obstacle in the way and every possible obstacle in the way and makes him have being. makes him have being. makes him have being. He does that in order to put to naught He does that in order to put to naught He does that in order to put to naught the people that think they have a corner the people that think they have a corner the people that think they have a corner on God's on God's on God's favor. For example, favor. For example, favor. For example, Matthew 3:9, Matthew 3:9, Matthew 3:9, Do not presume to say to yourselves, Do not presume to say to yourselves, Do not presume to say to yourselves, this is John the Baptist talking to the this is John the Baptist talking to the this is John the Baptist talking to the Jewish people. Do not presume to say to Jewish people. Do not presume to say to Jewish people. Do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham as our yourselves, We have Abraham as our yourselves, We have Abraham as our father. We are well-born. And they're arguing, Look, y- if you And they're arguing, Look, y- if you reject us, reject us, reject us, how is God going to fulfill his how is God going to fulfill his how is God going to fulfill his covenant? covenant? covenant? Here's his answer. For I tell you, God Here's his answer. For I tell you, God Here's his answer. For I tell you, God is able to raise up from these stones is able to raise up from these stones is able to raise up from these stones children of Abraham.

children of Abraham. children of Abraham. They could have said, God is able to They could have said, God is able to They could have said, God is able to raise up from nothing. raise up from nothing. raise up from nothing. But he's going to be graphic and make But he's going to be graphic and make But he's going to be graphic and make the same point. God is able to raise up the same point. God is able to raise up the same point. God is able to raise up from stones children of Abraham. And in from stones children of Abraham. And in from stones children of Abraham. And in fact, he does raise up from stones fact, he does raise up from stones fact, he does raise up from stones children of Abraham. He takes out the children of Abraham. He takes out the children of Abraham. He takes out the heart of stone, he puts in the heart of heart of stone, he puts in the heart of heart of stone, he puts in the heart of flesh. So, what's the So, what's the the point that the point that the point that Paul is trying to make in this Paul is trying to make in this Paul is trying to make in this in this unit right here? in this unit right here? in this unit right here? He's trying to say He's trying to say He's trying to say God saves people. God calls people. God God saves people. God calls people. God God saves people. God calls people. God chooses people with this purpose in chooses people with this purpose in chooses people with this purpose in mind. mind. mind. So that So that So that no flesh, no human being no flesh, no human being no flesh, no human being might boast in the presence of God. Now, might boast in the presence of God. Now, might boast in the presence of God. Now, next time he's going to put it next time he's going to put it next time he's going to put it positively, let the one who boasts boast positively, let the one who boasts boast positively, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. But right now, he's just in the Lord. But right now, he's just in the Lord. But right now, he's just showing showing showing God's way of saving sinners is to God's way of saving sinners is to God's way of saving sinners is to undercut all boasting.

undercut all boasting. undercut all boasting. And you see how that relates to the big And you see how that relates to the big And you see how that relates to the big point so far, namely that what I mean is this, each one of you what I mean is this, each one of you says, "I follow Paul. I follow Apollos. says, "I follow Paul. I follow Apollos. says, "I follow Paul. I follow Apollos. I follow Cephas. I follow Christ." I follow Cephas. I follow Christ." I follow Cephas. I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? In other words, Is Christ divided? In other words, Is Christ divided? In other words, they're boasting in men. And here's what they're boasting in men. And here's what they're boasting in men. And here's what he says to those who boast in men. So, he says to those who boast in men. So, he says to those who boast in men. So, let no one boast in men. This is 3:21. let no one boast in men. This is 3:21. let no one boast in men. This is 3:21. Let no one boast in men. For all things Let no one boast in men. For all things Let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos, are yours, whether Paul or Apollos, are yours, whether Paul or Apollos, Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or the world, or Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or the world, or Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or the present, or the life, or death, or the present, or the life, or death, or the present, or the future, all are yours, and you are future, all are yours, and you are future, all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is Christ's, and Christ is Christ's, and Christ is God's. So, the point is God's. So, the point is God's. So, the point is don't boast in any human power, any don't boast in any human power, any don't boast in any human power, any human riches, any human class, or birth. human riches, any human class, or birth. human riches, any human class, or birth. Boast in the Lord because God has Boast in the Lord because God has Boast in the Lord because God has undertaken to call and to choose and to undertaken to call and to choose and to undertaken to call and to choose and to save in a way save in a way save in a way that abolishes all human boasting.