Romans 3:27-31 NKJV

[27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. [29] Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, [30] since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. [31] Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

When we get all of the things "right," we become arrogant and prideful. Part of the problem with the Jews, especially the Pharisees, was their judgemental piety. They were the "keepers of the law." They were God's chosen people. The Gentiles were beneath them... the equivalent of filthy animals.

Jesus bridged the gap between God and the commoner and pushed back against the religious elite. His existence and His ministry broke down the walls held up by religious discrimination and birthright prejudice. He took away the bragging rights of biased, unmerited favor.

I used to avoid telling people about my past. Now, I actually enjoy it. I don't brag about all of the things I did wrong. I GET to boast in all of the things Jesus brought me through and spared me from. Only Jesus.