Thursday, October 16, 2014

Boasting...


2Corinthians 11:12  And what I do I will also continue to do, in order to deny an opportunity to those who want an opportunity to be recognized as our equals in what they boast about. 13  For such boasters are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14  And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15  So it is not strange if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of righteousness. Their end will match their deeds.
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2Co 12:5  On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6  But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 7  even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.8  Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9  but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10  Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul writes about “boasting”. He is annoyed that there are preachers who boast about equalling his status. He suggests that the only things that they can boast about are his experiences of “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ” . Following Jesus is not the key to fame and fortune. Let those who want to follow Jesus remember that we are not rewarded with honour and wealth; instead we are invited by Jesus ‘to take up a cross’ and follow him.[1]


Talk about suffering here below
And talk about loving Jesus.
Talk about suffering here below
And let's keep a following Jesus.


Ordinary 29
51 Servants of Christ
The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Reuben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 311.
This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.




[1] Mark 8:34-35

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