The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 10:17,
"Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
Due to the correspondence from Corinth, Paul felt it necessary to defend his ministry. As he did so, he pointed out that there could be much to boast about. However, he refused to compare himself with others. He said, "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." Verse 12.
There are a lot of folks who find their meaning in life by comparing themselves against others. There certainly is nothing wrong with competition in sports, or taking encouragement within ourselves to improve by observing others who do well. However, boasting in ourselves, particularly by comparing how we are better than so-and-so, just isn't good at all. We read in Proverbs 27:2, "Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips." The boaster is the only one who is impressed with himself.
When it comes to boasting, Paul quoted Jeremiah 9:24. There 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." Jeremiah 9:23-24.
"Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
Due to the correspondence from Corinth, Paul felt it necessary to defend his ministry. As he did so, he pointed out that there could be much to boast about. However, he refused to compare himself with others. He said, "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." Verse 12.
There are a lot of folks who find their meaning in life by comparing themselves against others. There certainly is nothing wrong with competition in sports, or taking encouragement within ourselves to improve by observing others who do well. However, boasting in ourselves, particularly by comparing how we are better than so-and-so, just isn't good at all. We read in Proverbs 27:2, "Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips." The boaster is the only one who is impressed with himself.
When it comes to boasting, Paul quoted Jeremiah 9:24. There 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." Jeremiah 9:23-24.
It is always appropriate to boast about the Lord!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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