Boasting Session
“Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:12-14
Finishing his message and letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul writes in large letters to emphasize his points. He mentions how those that want to impress others are trying to compel you to be circumcised in obedience to the law. This is only done for their benefit and to show off their worth to others of what they were able to accomplish. They were boasting about how they were able to convert the Gentiles to follow the law in circumcision. Yet to Paul, he doesn’t need to boast about those that he brought to Christ. He doesn’t care about anything except bringing glory to Christ. He mentions that circumcision or uncircumcision means nothing, what matters is the fact that through the cross we are a new creation. This is all that matters and this was the heart of the Apostle Paul - to bring honor and glory to Christ and to bring people to the knowledge of Him.
One of the parables that came to my mind as I read today’s devotion was the parable about the pharisee and the publican at the temple. In this parable, Jesus shows the contrasting and stark difference between the two. The Pharisee prays with a self-righteous pride about himself, thanking God that he is not like the others especially the publican tax collector, and boasts about his fasting and tithes. The publican tax collector on the other hand stands humbly afar at a distance at the bottom of the temple steps, confessing his sins and asking God for mercy, unable to look up to heaven and beating his chest out of conviction. Jesus states that the publican went home justified and that those that are humbled will be exalted.
There are some in the church that seek to look or act spiritual so that he or she may gain favor amongst the people. They are not genuine or authentic with who they are. They make seem spiritual but they are not. They may talk as if they are spiritual but they are not. They make act like they are spiritual but they are not. They only follow the standards and principles so that they may gain a reputation and be accepted not only by the believers but also the world. This is not the Christian way. The proud will never be exalted, only the humble will. We must be humble in what we do and keep our motivation to bring glory to Christ.
These are the individuals that seek to evangelize for their personal gain. I am not necessarily against someone saying the Sinner’s Prayer which is a short line people say when they come to repentance and faith in Christ. However I have seen it abused tremendously especially when it comes to evangelism and overseas on the mission field. Some believers have unfortunately gone up to random strangers and asked to recite a prayer, that is it. They come back and make these reports that they saw 50 come to know Christ that day.I don’t doubt the power of God to work in people’s heart but I don’t think that is proper way of evangelism. I believe the proper mode of evangelism is through relationships like the ones we have seen develop through our House Churches. The reason we evangelize is not that we can get a count of how many people we led to the Lord but that we may further the kingdom of God here on Earth and remain obedient unto what God has commanded us to do.
When we serve or do spiritual things for our personal reputation, that is the wrong reason. We do it for one purpose only and that is to bring glory to Christ.
We are not different because we are following laws, rules, or principles. We are different because we’re a new creation in Christ. The reason we do all the spiritual things and serve is not because we want to gain a reputation but because we want to serve God as a new creation. We yearn to serve God because we want to praise and obey Him. We seek to bring glory to God because we greatly love Him. That is our motivation.
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”
Proverbs 31:1
A father’s message to his son about what kind of life he ought to live and the wife he ought to seek and find. Kings and rulers are not to drink wine or have an addiction to alcohol. This is likely because it impairs the judgment of a ruler and many times can even bring about the greatest temptation when someone is does not have a clear mind. Beer and drunkenness is for those that are perishing or for those that are in anguish. The father calls upon his son to speak for those that are unable to speak for themselves, stand up for the poor, weak, and needy.
The father then addresses what the characteristics are of a noble wife. He calls upon his son to find someone with these personality traits because she is worth it. Far better than wealth of any kind. A good wife is one whose husband has full confidence and trust in. Someone that will bring only good rather than harm. She owns the home and is preparing food for her family and the servants. She is compassionate to the poor and needy. Her husband is a respected individual. Strength, dignity, and wisdom come into mind when one thinks about her character. She is easily humored and has wise instructions for her followers. She watches over the organization of her home and is not idle. Her children love and respect her. Her husband praises and honors here. Many women attempt and do noble things but she surpasses all of them.
The father reminds the son that charisma and beauty of a woman is fleeting and deceptive but a woman who truly fears the Lord is one he ought to seek and praise. When you do find a godly and honorable wife such as the one he describes, he calls upon his son to honor her and praise all that she has done.
