Boasting about one's achievements, abilities or possessions is something that the Bible discourages Christians from doing. A product of pride, boasting lifts the self up, and is contrary to the nature and character of the humble Lord Jesus Christ.
While boasting about one's self is discouraged, there are some things that we as Christians can absolutely boast about, and boast about with much gusto. Here are three things that we are absolutely allowed, and encouraged, to boast in as Christians.
1) Boast in the Lord
"This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
While some brag about their academic achievements, their physical prowess, or the possessions they have, we Christians are told to boast in the Lord who is ever-gracious, kind, just and righteous. There's no one in the earth who is like our God.
2) Boast in our weakness
While others take pride in their strengths, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 that we should rather boast in our weaknesses and difficulties, because God can show Himself mighty and powerful through them.
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take [the thorn in my flesh] away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
3) Boast in the cross of Christ
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)
While others boast about their strict observance of rules or service rendered to the Lord, Paul says that he would rather boast in the cross of Christ. The religious boast about their religion. Those who think they can be saved through works boast in their good works. Those who are saved by grace, however, boast in the cross of Christ, which is the power of God to those who are being saved (see 1 Cor. 1:18).
