When your mind wanders and you forget to hit “publish” your post is a day late 🙃
You may be wondering why start today’s devotional with a scene from the movie Glory? Well first off it’s a favorite of mine, and I think the lesson the movie shows is most applicable today. In it the film, Matthew Brodrick’s character is determined yet humble, he does not seek “glory” as most other contemporaries of his do.
Today we have a nation of glory seekers. They want to shine in the spotlight, folks are looking for that quick and easy way to fame and success. Yet sadly they have no desire to work hard for it or glorify God for and achievements obtained.
Chapter CONTEXT From John Gill:
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While in context our main text for today v.18 is most definitely about those who proclaim the Gospel, it can easily be applied to all who brag about their own accomplishments. Here Paul is saying that those who are commended and praised by the Lord (AMP) are those who can boast in the Lord (v.17), On the other hand, it is not he who commends and praises himself who is approved [by God]. OUCH, simply put God hates a boastful bragger.
VERSE 18 Commentary John Gill:
Ver. 18. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, &c.] Such may be said to commend themselves, who ascribe that to themselves, which don’t belong to them; as that they are the ministers of Christ, and sent forth by him, when they are not; who boast that they have large ministerial gifts, when they have none; and of their great service and usefulness, when it is all the produce of other men’s labours: and what they have and do, they wholly impute to their own power and industry, and not to the grace and power of God: now such persons are neither approved by God, nor good men; for their own self-commendation stands for nothing, and is so far from being acceptable to God or men, that it must be nauseous and disagreeable; see Prov. 27:2. But whom the Lord commendeth; they are approved by God and men, and they are such whom he highly honours, as he did Paul, by counting them faithful; and putting them into the ministry, by qualifying them for his service, by assisting them in it, and making them abundantly useful for the good of souls, and the glory of his name: by all which he bears a testimony to them, and shews his approbation of them, and at last will say, well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.
John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament, vol. 2, The Baptist Commentary Series (London: Mathews and Leigh, 1809), 824.
The two images above show a stark contrast in how folks should consider talking about the accomplishment and their daily lives. Ali famously was bragging about being the camp of the world but eventually like all great men he to toppled from greatness. As Christians I think the Bible ppoints us towards the other way humbleness and not bragging even if we can back it up.
Some final thoughts on Paul’s writing. There are legitimate times to boast, yet we must be careful in that boasting the it is not controled by sinful pride. As a carpenter, if someone asks did I build this or that, their is nothing wrong with “yes and I hope you like it I think it came out pretty good”. Compare that with the coastful comments of, “yes I did a really good job of it don’t you think”.
Again as Paul makes clear in this chapter that there are occasions when righteous boasting is okay. Note I said “richeous” that means God is getting the Glory.
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