Boasting in what Christ is doing

Romans 15:17-21

Are you as boastful as the apostle Paul about what Christ Jesus is doing in your ministry?  Paul sounds like a bragger, for he is very bold in his statement; “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written,

“Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

If one is not careful he will wonder, was the apostle Paul just full of himself, and you would miss the total message.  Maybe that has much to say about you and I, do we take credit for the talents, gifts, and abilities that have been imparted to us from the Father?  Let me be first to confess how often I’ve taken credit for a gift or ability both in the workplace and other areas of life, I knew the hand of God had opened doors so that I was able to accomplish the act, and my flesh said in a boastful manner, look at what I’ve done!

But that is not what we see in Paul’s statement above, for it is in Christ Jesus, Paul has reason to be proud of his work for God.  Everywhere we have this message from the apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Colossian 2:20) And this Scripture gives more clarity to the heart of the apostle; “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Should not our boast be like the apostle Paul’s?  Should we not be telling our neighbors, family, and friends, the words of Paul and yet let them be found in our hearts and minds; “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice