4/19/09

Now that is something to brag about!

Ha, Ha! Maybe he should have looked a little closer at that box! On another level, this cartoon does say something about human nature. Human beings tend to boast about their activities far more than they have any right to do. What do we really accomplish in this world, anyway? If we are blessed with a job, most of us do the same sort of thing day in and day out. If God blesses us with enough money, we pay our bills, raise our kids and have a little left over for "someday". When was the last time you remember doing something REALLY worth boasting about; something that will last one hundred years or more? However, each of us has an opportunity to do something that will last a thousand years or more. Read this passage from 1st Corinthians and I think you will see what I mean.

1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing."
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
1Co 1:22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Co 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
1Co 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
1Co 1:28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:
1Co 1:29 that no flesh should boast before God.
1Co 1:30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
1Co 1:31 that, according as it is written, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."
World English Version
Once we realize how foolish our temporal accomplishments are, we can begin to take a wider perspective of our life. This begins by putting God at the center of everything; changing our focus from something WE DID, to what God can do THROUGH US. Pride can be a terrible thing, but when God's will is prioritized in our lives, HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS make all the difference. Think back, the last time you boasted about something, was it something that you did, or that God did THROUGH YOU? This question makes me a little nervous, does it do the same for you? Well, there is a sure cure for this problem and that begins with doing something "foolish"; boast about what God has done for you. His Gospel and HIS SACRIFICE will last a thousand times a thousand years and more. Now that is something to brag about!