But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10:17
Glory or boasting is something that is commonly seen everywhere. People love to stand upon a stage and boast about their achievements or abilities. Athletes will often claim that they are the best and will crush everyone else. Businesses always like to claim that their products are the number one product and can do what no other product made can do.
As Paul is talking about he and other apostle’s abilities, he tells the Corinthian believers that if anyone should boast, that person should boast in the glory of the Lord.
It is easy for a person to talk about one’s own abilities or accomplishments. Talking in that way lifts oneself up and makes one look better. On the surface it may feel like one is able to be trusted more.
Fame and glory will appear to shine down on the person for a short time. When a person glories in self-accomplishments and boasts about it, there is often no foundation to it. It is temporary and unprovable.
Proof of abilities and value come from outside of self. When one is commended by other people, the proof of ability is seen.
Glorying in self is just as common in the church as in the world. Yet, believers are to glory in God. Without God, nothing is possible. No one would have breath to breathe or the ability to move without God’s intervention in one’s life.
Believers will accomplish great things, but it is only done in the power and strength of the Lord. Behind the scenes it is God who guides and gives the believer favor to do the work being done. Instead of pointing to self and glorying in self, believers are to point to God and give Him glory and praise for what has been done.
You have been able to accomplish many different things in your lifetime. Some of those things may have been very great. It will be easy for you to boast and glory in yourself, lifting yourself up on a pedestal. Step back and recognize that it was God who gave you those abilities to do what you had done. Without God, you would not be able to do anything, much less even be alive. Do not be like the world and glory in yourself but give God all the glory.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will recognize God’s work in your life; that you will glory in God and what He has done; and that God will use you in mighty ways to build His kingdom.
Photo by Birger Strahl on Unsplash
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