2 Corinthians 1:12
"For our boasting is this: the
testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in
simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of
God, and more abundantly toward you."
On the subject
of boasting, Jeremiah 9:23-24 gives us a clear picture of what it means to
boast in the Lord. The text says:
"Thus
says the LORD: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty
man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him
who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD
who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in
these things I delight, declares the LORD.'" (ESV)
Paul is an
example of what it means to boast in the Lord. He did not boast in his
knowledge of the scriptures. He did not boast in the number of churches he
founded. He did not boast in the number of men who were saved under his
ministry. Rather, he boasted in the grace which God had given him, and he was
able to have a clear conscience knowing that he acted in a manner which pleased
God.
As we know
from 1 Corinthians chapter four, Paul was made as the "filth of the
world" for the sake of Christ. Yet, being utterly despised and scorned, he
did not lament the loss of his reputation, nor shy away from following Christ.
He continued to press forward, because his boasting was in the Lord. The anchor
to his soul was the grace which God had given him in Christ, and no amount of
hardship or persecution could rob Paul of such a gift.
As Christians,
we often place too much concern upon that which matters not. The trite, vain
things of this world are not to be esteemed, even lightly. They are to be
counted as nothing so as to gain Christ. Many of us live for reputation,
position, and prominence. We want to be something to please another man or live
for our talents and abilities. Even good things, like ministry, can become
idols. Can any of us truly say we are living for CHRIST ALONE?
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