Boasting – when is it okay?
by Jo Corney
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‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends themselves who are approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2 Corinthians 10:17,18).
Boasting and pride – it is so human to fall into this, either outwardly or in our inner reflections as we live and focus on ourselves and the people or things we love. It’s easy to fall into the habit of measuring value by what gets positive attention.
We see this arise in recognising many things commonly around our educational, professional, financial and relational successes and achievements. We’ve worked for these – why shouldn’t we be proud and boast to others of our and our loved ones’ accomplishments? Well, we should share our joys in our achievements, but tempering it with humility helps us not allow boasting and pride to arise and cause harm. But let’s turn our minds to these selected verses: What can help us in our faith journeys?
As Paul reminds the Corinthians that true approval doesn’t come from self-promotion or human applause, but from the Lord himself, it also helps us to see how acknowledgement and recognition fit best. This Scripture tells us it fits where we seek, if first from God and what pleases him.
Paul’s example is interesting, remembering he noted if any person had cause to boast in themselves, Paul was qualified to do so (Philippians 3:3–5). However, through his writings, we see him as a man who confesses to being unattractive. He doesn’t boast of his clever and learned mind, but we see it in action. He doesn’t boast of the cost to him to be so deeply committed to the churches; however, we see it in his writings that reflect his joyous, sorrowing, burdened heart for them and yet his unwavering sense of call and service to them. He didn’t build his authority to guide these new churches on personality and physical appeal, but on faithfulness to Christ.
In these verses, Paul turns our attention away from self-made status and toward the grace of God. If we’re going to boast, Paul says, let it be in the Lord. Let our confidence, identity and joy be grounded not in what we’ve done, but in who God is and what he has done for us in Jesus.
I all too often limit my spiritual freedom by getting distracted and forgetting that I ultimately serve one – that is, God. I welcome this reminder as it prompts me to remember what God has done for me and what this gives and means. In my baptism, God calls me his beloved. Because of what Jesus has done for me, I don’t have to compete, perform or continually seek external validation.
As a Christian, I believe I am justified and approved by Jesus’ death and resurrection, and these are never by my merit but always given to me by God’s grace. I am so encouraged that God’s commendation comes as I seek to humbly trust him, serve and try to live for his glory. I hope these thoughts encourage you also in your faith journey today.
We can gratefully ‘boast’ in these gifts of deep wonder. Be encouraged to ‘boast in the Lord’.
Gracious God, please help us abide in you through your endless grace. If I boast, may it be about your grace to me. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Jo is a wife and mum who serves in various roles in her local Lutheran church and also in chaplaincy as the assistant director of Chaplaincy and Ministry Development for Lutheran Services.
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