Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith. (Romans 3:27 CSB)

There is no boasting in the Christian life. Well, save in the cross of Christ (cf. Galatians 6:14). In a political and sports culture of brag and swag, we do well to remember that God does no go for this. Paul has just given a summary in Romans 3:21-26 of the gospel for which he is not ashamed, this gospel in which is revealed the power of God and the righteousness of God, to be received by faith alone. All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Therefore, all who are saved are saved by grace through faith, and receive a righteousness from outside of ourselves, and are thus declared just before God. This leaves no room for boasting in ourselves. We do not trash talk. The Lord will have none of that. None. So what does not please God? Pride, arrogance, a boastful spirit.

But we already knew this. The wise man had told us this long before. The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to him: arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19) What do you think of when looked upon by arrogant eyes? Other translations help us get the whole picture. Haughty eyes (ESV). Eyes high (YLT). A proud look (KJV). This is not a light matter with our Lord. These things are detestable to him.

So this principle is simply drilled down as we consider our salvation. God saves us in such a way to undercut the temptation that goes all the way back to the garden—pride. Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). Indeed. Oh how we have known that since Genesis 3! Reflecting on the teaching of his Savior, Peter sums this up for us: All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud

but gives grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. (I Pet. 5:5b-7).