2 Corinthians 10:17-18 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
So true Friends, so true! In Chap.10 of his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, Bruh Paul talks about his spiritual authority. Like there were certain allegations concerning his divine dealings. ‘…wherewith I think to be bold against some which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.’ (vs.2-4) His naysayers claimed that he was not properly anointed to minister and he just appropriated his apostleship, simply took it upon himself to become an apostle. Now he’s rebutting their claims, that though he lives in a human body, he doesn’t fight by human standards, but spiritually, by ‘casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’ (vs.5) Ah Friends, even if he usurped the apostleship, he certainly had a powerful desire to serve Christ, and was well versed in the scriptures, always having the perfect quote to back up his practical plans. In vs.5 there, he is referring to 1 Cor.1:19. ‘For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ That itself refers to Isaiah 29:4. He is able to back up his strong talk. Then he talks about judging by outward appearances; that if anyone thinks they are of Christ, so is he, and if he should ever deign to boast of the power God gave him to encourage others, to build them up, rather than destroy them, he wouldn’t be ashamed, cause that was his strength. But he wouldn’t compare himself ‘with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.’ (vs.12) That’s something we’re all guilty of people; comparisons. Who’s better than whom? But as Bruh Paul says, that’s not wise, since most of the time we’re not comparing similar things, but apples with oranges, and even the odd time we do compare like things, it does us no good, only breeds, envy, jealousy, strife and unhappiness. We must accept that the Lord made us all with different capabilities to different levels. That’s why Bruh Paul wouldn’t boast about things beyond his capabilities, only to what God granted him, which was to reach out to unbelievers, like the Corinthians, and preach the gospel of Christ. He wouldn’t take credit for what others did either, only for his own labour, and in their case, he would wait until their faith was enlarged, their church grew strong, before accepting any accolades. However, he ends by ensuring the Corinthians understood what he said was not vanity or conceit, that in the final analysis, whatever he achieved came from God. ‘But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.’ That’s the Christian way Friends, cause we’re just the conduits, passing on God’s Word, and the results are not a cause for chest thumping. And, as Bruh Paul states in 1 Cor.3:5. ‘So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither is he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.’ Let’s remember that Friends. Much LOVE!…in Christ’s work…there’s no room whatsoever…for pride…or boasting…
So true Friends, so true! In Chap.10 of his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, Bruh Paul talks about his spiritual authority. Like there were certain allegations concerning his divine dealings. ‘…wherewith I think to be bold against some which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.’ (vs.2-4) His naysayers claimed that he was not properly anointed to minister and he just appropriated his apostleship, simply took it upon himself to become an apostle. Now he’s rebutting their claims, that though he lives in a human body, he doesn’t fight by human standards, but spiritually, by ‘casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’ (vs.5) Ah Friends, even if he usurped the apostleship, he certainly had a powerful desire to serve Christ, and was well versed in the scriptures, always having the perfect quote to back up his practical plans. In vs.5 there, he is referring to 1 Cor.1:19. ‘For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ That itself refers to Isaiah 29:4. He is able to back up his strong talk. Then he talks about judging by outward appearances; that if anyone thinks they are of Christ, so is he, and if he should ever deign to boast of the power God gave him to encourage others, to build them up, rather than destroy them, he wouldn’t be ashamed, cause that was his strength. But he wouldn’t compare himself ‘with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.’ (vs.12) That’s something we’re all guilty of people; comparisons. Who’s better than whom? But as Bruh Paul says, that’s not wise, since most of the time we’re not comparing similar things, but apples with oranges, and even the odd time we do compare like things, it does us no good, only breeds, envy, jealousy, strife and unhappiness. We must accept that the Lord made us all with different capabilities to different levels. That’s why Bruh Paul wouldn’t boast about things beyond his capabilities, only to what God granted him, which was to reach out to unbelievers, like the Corinthians, and preach the gospel of Christ. He wouldn’t take credit for what others did either, only for his own labour, and in their case, he would wait until their faith was enlarged, their church grew strong, before accepting any accolades. However, he ends by ensuring the Corinthians understood what he said was not vanity or conceit, that in the final analysis, whatever he achieved came from God. ‘But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.’ That’s the Christian way Friends, cause we’re just the conduits, passing on God’s Word, and the results are not a cause for chest thumping. And, as Bruh Paul states in 1 Cor.3:5. ‘So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither is he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.’ Let’s remember that Friends. Much LOVE!…in Christ’s work…there’s no room whatsoever…for pride…or boasting…
SCRIP-BITS 