Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

QT 5/7/2025 2 Cor 1:12–14, Is boasting every good?

2 Corinthians 1:12–16 (ESV) —

12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.

 

NOTE: Paul is pretty clear that boasting is not a good character quality, but in most contexts, boasting is related to a personal achievement without God. Paul has even chastised the Corinthians for pride and boasting. But, the boasting here is quite different. First, his behavior toward them that he boasts about is by the grace of God. Second, he boasts because of his love for them and seeing the results of their salvation.

 

Paul's boasting is a lot like a grandparent showing off pictures of their grandchildren. They love them so much they want to show everyone. I have two grandchildren born by my children 6 months apart. They are adorable, 9 months and 15 months. But, I had nothing to do with how they came out. God created those babies. What I am saying is that there is a boasting which comes out of love and not out of personal accomplishments. It is a good type of boasting because it communicates love. Still, one needs to be careful. Some potential grandparents long for grandchildren as well as potential parents, and constant talking about children can be painful.

 

PONDER:

  1. Do I boast and why? Most boasting is sinful and the result of pride in self
  2. Do I boast because I love someone so much I can't help mentioning them? That type of boasting is okay, but we must be careful not to hurt others who are not so blessed by God

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for the grandchildren. They are a joy. Both of our children were barren and nearing their 40's, and now both have a child. You are gracious and generous. Give me strength, because it is hard to take care of two busy children when you are in your 60's. But thank you for the honor of pouring my life into these two young ones.

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