Proud Christians -- April 10, 2009

But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Our glory is not in our opinion about ourselves. Good self-esteem comes from doing well. God explains this to Cain in Genesis 4. Why are we so down on ourselves? Because we know that we aren’t living up the standards we can achieve. There is something much better than our own earned self-esteem. It is God’s commendation. We can’t give approval to ourselves because we are not authorized to do it. In 1 Corinthians 4 Paul tells us our judgments concerning him are of little importance to him. He even discounts his own judgment of how he is doing. He is counting on God’s judgments to be accurate. It is for God Paul is living his life.

Just feeling good about our life doesn’t mean we are approved. King Nebuchadnezzar stood on the wall of Babylon looking out at the kingdom that God had raised up under him. He declared it the work of his own hand and felt very high self-esteem. He commended himself but he was not approved. God had a different view of Nebuchadnezzar’s accomplishments. At this point he was not receiving God’s commendation. God gave him a seven year sentence of insanity to correct him back to humility and the commendation of God.

Our glory/pride must be in the Lord. Our boast is that Jesus has saved us. We have no other claim to greatness. I want God’s approval more than anyone else’s – even my own. Today let’s brag hugely, but let’s brag that we know Jesus and that He has changed our lives.

Proud of Knowing Jesus,

Pastor Jason