I am excited about the opportunity I hope the Lord will present to me in 2010! If He so allows I plan to preach a series of messages from the book of II Corinthians to our church family on Sunday evenings. In preparation for this task I have been reading and rereading this book so that its contents can become a part of my thinking and to familiarize myself with the themes that Paul addresses.

In this morning’s reading I found myself greatly convicted by some verses from the 10th chapter. Paul says in verses 17-18:

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

I am reminded often of how putrid and wicked my “flesh” (old nature) really is. It is selfish, self-seeking, prideful, arrogant and unfortunately the list goes on. Your flesh is no better. Even the great Apostle Paul, possibly the greatest Christian who ever lived had to admit that in his flesh was “no good thing” (Romans 7:18). The works that our flesh produce are “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) in the presence of our holy God.

One thing that doesn’t come naturally to our flesh is glorifying God. One aspect of glorifying God is to give a correct representation of who God is and what God is like. To think that God gives us this task is daunting! Over and over God tells you and I who live in bodies of flesh and still battle the old nature to glorify Him! It seems utterly impossible–and it is without the Person and enablement of the precious Holy Spirit that invades our body at the moment of the New Birth. Now through His power we have the ability to no longer walk in the flesh, but rather walk in the Spirit.

With that background in mind think again of Paul’s verses mentioned earlier. “…he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” Here the idea of “glorying” is the idea of boasting…the idea of making something or someone look good. Of course the old nature is concerned and consumed with making self look good. Many atheletes accomplish feats of awe and follow that feat with “boasting”. Others make good financial decisions and investments and “boast” of their financial genius. Parents watch their children and “boast” of their accomplishments. It seems that boasting is sewn into the very fabric of our lives. However, Paul does not deny us the opportunity to boast…He just commands us, under the direction of the Holy Spirit to direct our boasting where it belongs–”in the Lord!” Without God-given abilities, talents, health, life and wisdom where would we be? We must constantly be reminded that “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Since every good gift comes from Him, no one else, including ourselves, can get the credit for any accomplishments! If there is anything we have done it is simply to trust Him/cooperate with Him to do in us and through us what we can not do apart from Him! Give Him the glory!

Now notice verse 19: For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. We can praise ourselves, boast of and in ourselves and seek to glorify ourselves in the eyes of men. It is unfortunate that many people do a “good job” at such an awful thing. But remember this–no amount of self-praise, self-boasting and self-gloating has God fooled! God knows what we really are without His grace and mercy. God knows what we would do apart from the new birth and the Holy Spirit’s influence. God knows our selfish motives behind the acts of kindness that we do for recognition.

You see v. 19 teaches us that one may be recognized and approved by themselves and even recognized and approved by the masses. However, the real question is “are they commended (approved) by God?” That is the only approval that matters! Self-approval doesn’t matter because your “self” is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things! The “crowd’s approval” doesn’t matter because they are made of the same flesh as you are! The only thing that matters is God’s approval!

It goes without saying that everything we do is in vain if we do not know Christ as our Savior! Without faith in Him we cannot, no matter how hard we try, please God (Hebrews 11:6). This goes back to the flesh’s problem. The flesh wants to “earn” approval and “earn” salvation. It says, “I must be ok with God, because I don’t do this or I don’t do that…At least I’m not like him or at least I don’t live like her.” No, for one to have God’s forgiveness experienced in their life they must realize they can never earn God’s approval and that they deserve God’s judgment! They cry out to God in true repentance and ask Him to be merciful to “them a sinner” because they realize apart from His mercy all they deserve is judgment!

However, as Christians we should also desire God’s approval in our everyday lives. This of course, has nothing to do with salvation or earning God’s blessings. This has everything to do with loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! When you love someone that passionately you will automatically seek to please them, not yourself.

So as you enter into this weekend is God saying about you, “I commend you. I approve of your attitude, I approve of your thankful heart, I approve of your humility, I approve of your passion for Me, I approve of your evangelistic efforts and your love for souls…” Or, does God see complaining and griping? Does He see bitterness? Is pride on the menu of your soul? Does He see passion for Him and for souls or would the passion you have for this weeks’ Christmas sales and ballgames make your passion for Him seem miniscule?

Don’t live for pats on the back from self or from others…live for the commendation of God! James reminds us how this can happen in James 4:8-10-Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, AND HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP.

LIVE FOR HIS APPROVAL…DOES ANYTHING ELSE REALLY MATTER?

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