I Have to Boast by Ann-Louise
There are few things more annoying than listening to a person who continually blows their own horn. I'm sure you've had the 'pleasure' of running into a Mr. Look At Me or a Miss I'm So Wonderful. Bragging about ourselves and our own accomplishments is, to my mind, a form of blasphemy. Why do I say that? Well, think about it this way. Who made us and gave us the abilities we have and gave us the opportunity to use those abilities? He alone deserves the glory for all that we are able to do. When we take credit for whatever it is, we steal His glory. Something to think about.
In 2 Corinthians 2:1, Paul says, "I have to boast. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. " (CJB)
The NIRV says, "We can't gain anything by bragging. But I have to do it anyway. I am going to tell you what I've seen. I want to talk about what the Lord has shown me."
Paul says it is not "expedient" (KJV) to boast; it is not a good thing to do, but if he is going to boast, then he will boast only of the Lord rather than of himself. By man's way of thinking, Paul had reason to boast, but he saw himself as he really was and said,
"For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me - that is, inside my old nature." (Rom. 7:18, CJB).
Paul also said in Galatians 6:14,
In 2 Corinthians 2:1, Paul says, "I have to boast. There is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. " (CJB)
The NIRV says, "We can't gain anything by bragging. But I have to do it anyway. I am going to tell you what I've seen. I want to talk about what the Lord has shown me."
Paul says it is not "expedient" (KJV) to boast; it is not a good thing to do, but if he is going to boast, then he will boast only of the Lord rather than of himself. By man's way of thinking, Paul had reason to boast, but he saw himself as he really was and said,
"For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me - that is, inside my old nature." (Rom. 7:18, CJB).
Paul also said in Galatians 6:14,
"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jesus was Paul's motivation in every aspect of life. He wanted to see Jesus lifted up, rather than himself. The only thing Paul wanted to ever boast about was his Lord and the work that his Savior had done in his life. Rather than brag about his own accomplishments, his attitude was, "I'm just a man. A sinner. There is nothing in me that is worth boasting about, but look what Jesus has done! He alone is worthy of all glory, honor and praise." In 2 Cor. 12:1, he is basically saying, "Instead of telling you about me, I'm going to tell you what Jesus showed me. Don't look at me. Look at Him! I want to talk about what the Lord has shown me."
Shouldn't the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done be the focus of our conversations, too? Deuteronomy 4:9 says,
"Only be careful, and watch yourselves diligently as long as you live, so that you won't forget what you saw with your own eyes, so that these things won't vanish from your hearts. Rather, make them known to your children and grandchildren." (CJB)
David said, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. " (Psalm 40:5, NIV)
The Lord has done wonderful works in each of our lives. He saved us from the awful penalty of sin; shed His blood for our atonement; called us His own; adopted us as His own dear children; gave us an inheritance; seated us in the heavenlies with Christ; set us free; and has made the same power that rose Jesus from the grave available to us by His Spirit living within so that we can live victoriously. He has done great things. His wonderful works on our behalf are without number.
How can we not speak of His wonderful works?
May we, like Paul, boast only in Jesus our Savior, who is worthy of ALL glory, honor and praise.
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Shouldn't the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done be the focus of our conversations, too? Deuteronomy 4:9 says,
"Only be careful, and watch yourselves diligently as long as you live, so that you won't forget what you saw with your own eyes, so that these things won't vanish from your hearts. Rather, make them known to your children and grandchildren." (CJB)
David said, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. " (Psalm 40:5, NIV)
The Lord has done wonderful works in each of our lives. He saved us from the awful penalty of sin; shed His blood for our atonement; called us His own; adopted us as His own dear children; gave us an inheritance; seated us in the heavenlies with Christ; set us free; and has made the same power that rose Jesus from the grave available to us by His Spirit living within so that we can live victoriously. He has done great things. His wonderful works on our behalf are without number.
How can we not speak of His wonderful works?
May we, like Paul, boast only in Jesus our Savior, who is worthy of ALL glory, honor and praise.
More Articles Home Page