July 18, 2019 - - II Corinthians 10:17-18 - - Our Boast is in Jesus

Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved,

but the one whom the Lord commends.

II Corinthians 10:17-18 ESV

A four year old child hands you her most recent picture. It is supposed to be you—your head is bigger than your belly and you have no feet, but you do have one hand, with nine fingers. She is so earnest, seeking your approval and showing you her love. As an adult you know it is all messed up. As a parent you know it is age appropriate and beautiful.

In so many ways I feel like that four year old. The gifts I give to God are so misshapen, so haphazard and yet given with love. The offerings I bring are done quickly, so often it is just scribbling and rushing, rather than thoughtful, patient, and completed over a longer time to allow for maturing and improvement.

Knowing the effort I put into something and the effort that is lacking, I am still looking for validation. I want to boast. I want to say “I did that.” Or I’ll post something and wait for someone to approve. Commend me. Tell me it is good. Disappointed if no one comments. Disbelieving even if they do compliment knowing the work is not good enough.

Paul is writing to the Corinthians. Ah, we know all about those Corinthians. They are tolerating gross sexual immorality (until this letter, part II where we learn they heeded Paul’s admonition against such sin). They boast about which leader they follow. They have dissensions among them. There are some who are dying because they are abusing the Lord’s Supper. What a raucous, motley group. And yet, there is a reason to boast.

Their boast is in Christ alone. He has lifted them up from the grave of their sins. Jesus has clothed them in His righteousness. Their boast is in Him alone. That is our boast too. We have been brought from death in our sinfulness, to life in Christ. That is why He is our boast and our song.

At the end of this second letter Paul encourages them to aim for reconciliation and to live at peace. He reminds them of this: the grace of the Lord Jesus is with them. Of course these Corinthians will fail. So do we!Of course their best works are as dung and poorly drawn pictures. Just as are the works we do, rot and incompleteness. The point is not one of us has any reason to stand before God and say: “Look at how good I am”. When we go before God, as sons and daughters of the Most High we joyfully say, “Look how good Christ is. See the beauty and perfections of Your Son—all that He has given me so that I am qualified in Him to be adopted as Yours. Great is Jesus—the Captain of our Salvation!” And our Father in heaven sees the our poor efforts as perfected and lovely because of Jesus Christ.

Thank You God for the great promise that You, Who began a good in us, will see it to completion in Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, make the Word of God and the promises we find in it, food for our soul, and increase for our intellect and cheerful obedience. Amen.