Let Us Boast!

LENT--DAY 8

SCRIPTURE

Philippians 3:2-12 (NRSV)
Paul affirms the Abrahamic tradition

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh -- even though I, too, have reason for confidence in the flesh.

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.


DEVOTION

Today Paul reminds us of the importance of walking in humility! This notion is rather countercultural, isn’t it?

In most of our society’s we are taught to toot our own horns. We tell people about the prestigious college we attended. We boast about our corner office and six figure salary. We pull out the pictures of the summer cabin. We drive around the block three times so that our neighbors can see our new car.

How silly we can be and how quick to boast!

But, today we are reminded that if we want to brag on anyone, it ought to be Jesus! If we want to boast about anything, it ought to be God’s power to resurrect the dead!

As Christians we have a lot to brag about. Our God created and sustains the universe and everything in it. Our God loves everyone so much that God gave Jesus to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. Our God is so awesome that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day, just as he promised! Our God is so compassionate that the Holy Spirit was sent into the world to be a comforter and teacher. And our God is so phenomenal that Jesus will come again to establish a new heaven and a new earth!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have anything going on in my life more praiseworthy than all that!

So today, when I open my mouth to boast, it will be in CHRIST JESUS MY LORD!


Let us pray:

Holy God, you are so awesome! You are so praiseworthy! You are so holy! Today, I will brag on you. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I will be equipped and empowered to share your love with others. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.


INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL


ANNOUNCEMENT

During the Lenten Season, all Good News readers are challenged to forward this blog to one person each and every day! Read, share, and BE good news! Go in peace, serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God!)