BOASTING ONLY IN THE LORD

BOASTING ONLY IN THE LORD

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Key Verse: “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 10:17

Supporting Texts: Psalm 34:2; Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:29-31; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:3-9; James 4:6; Psalm 115:1; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 15:10; John 3:27

Description: Boasting only in the Lord means recognising God as the source of our salvation, gifts, achievements, strength, and ministry, and directing all glory to Him rather than to ourselves.

INTRODUCTION

Human beings naturally desire recognition for their achievements, abilities, positions, and successes. In ministry, this temptation can become even stronger because people may celebrate our preaching, gifts, influence, books, accomplishments, or the growth of our work. However, Scripture teaches us that everything we have ultimately comes from God, and therefore our greatest boast must be in the Lord.

In 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, Paul contrasts self-commendation with genuine approval from God. He declares, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” Paul understood that ministry was not an opportunity to exalt himself but a platform through which Christ should be honoured. He also recognised that human recommendation does not determine genuine spiritual approval.

Boasting in the Lord does not mean denying God's blessings or pretending that we have accomplished nothing. It means acknowledging the true source of every blessing and refusing to take God's glory for ourselves. We can celebrate what God has done while remaining humble enough to say, “To God be the glory.”

1. RECOGNISE GOD AS THE SOURCE OF EVERYTHING

Everything we possess and accomplish ultimately depends upon God. Recognising this truth protects us from pride and teaches us to give Him the glory.

a. Every Good Gift Comes From God (James 1:17) — Every good and perfect gift comes from above. Our abilities, opportunities, resources, and blessings should therefore produce gratitude rather than pride.

b. God Gives The Increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) — Human beings may plant and water, but God gives the increase. The results of our labour are ultimately dependent upon Him.

c. God Gives Strength For Service (2 Corinthians 3:5) — We are not sufficient in ourselves. Our sufficiency comes from God, who enables us to serve effectively.

d. God Gives Grace For Achievement (1 Corinthians 15:10) — Paul acknowledged his labour but immediately recognised that God's grace was working through him.

Biblical Example: David acknowledged that everything Israel had given for the temple came from God and that they had only returned to Him what was already His (1 Chronicles 29:11-14).

2. BOAST IN THE LORD, NOT IN YOURSELF

God desires the glory that belongs to Him. Self-exaltation can easily become a dangerous substitute for genuine gratitude.

a. Glory In The Lord (2 Corinthians 10:17) — Paul gives the believer the proper direction for boasting: not in personal achievement, but in the Lord.

b. Do Not Trust In Human Ability (Jeremiah 9:23-24) — The wise should not boast in wisdom, the mighty in strength, or the rich in wealth. The proper boast is understanding and knowing the Lord.

c. Do Not Take God's Glory For Yourself (Isaiah 42:8) — God declares that His glory He will not give to another. His blessings should always lead us back to worship.

d. Remember Your Dependence On God (John 15:5) — Jesus taught that apart from Him we can do nothing. This truth should produce humility and continual dependence.

Biblical Example: Nebuchadnezzar boasted about the greatness of Babylon and attributed its glory to his own power. God humbled him until he recognised that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men (Daniel 4:28-37).

3. BOAST IN THE CROSS OF CHRIST

The greatest reason for Christian boasting is not human achievement but the saving work of Jesus Christ.

a. Christ Is The Centre Of Our Salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30) — Christ has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Our salvation is entirely rooted in Him.

b. Glory In The Cross (Galatians 6:14) — Paul declared that he would glory in the cross of Christ rather than in worldly achievements.

c. Salvation Is By Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) — We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. Therefore, nobody has grounds for boasting before God.

d. Christ Deserves All Honour (Revelation 5:12) — The Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing.

Biblical Example: Paul considered his former religious achievements as loss compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:4-9).

4. BOAST IN WHAT GOD HAS DONE THROUGH YOU

Humility does not require denying God's work through your life. It requires acknowledging that the power and grace behind that work belong to Him.

a. Recognise God's Grace In Your Labour (1 Corinthians 15:10) — Paul worked diligently but knew that God's grace enabled his labour.

b. Give God Credit For Spiritual Fruit (John 15:8) — Fruitfulness brings glory to the Father. When lives are transformed through ministry, the glory belongs to God.

c. Honour God For Ministry Opportunities (2 Corinthians 10:13) — Paul recognised the sphere God had assigned to him rather than claiming unlimited authority or influence.

d. Use Your Gifts For God's Glory (1 Peter 4:10-11) — Spiritual gifts are entrusted to believers so that God may be glorified through their faithful use.

Biblical Example: Peter and John refused to allow the healing of the lame man to become a platform for personal glory. Peter directed the people's attention to Jesus Christ and God's power (Acts 3:12-16).

5. REFUSE SELF-COMMENDATION

Human praise can be encouraging, but it must never become the foundation of our identity or ministry.

a. Human Praise Is Not God's Approval (2 Corinthians 10:18) — Paul states that the person who commends himself is not necessarily approved. Genuine approval comes from the Lord.

b. Do Not Seek The Praise Of Men (John 12:43) — Some people loved human recognition more than God's approval. Believers must guard against this temptation.

c. Let God Examine Your Heart (1 Corinthians 4:5) — God knows motives and hidden things that people cannot see. His evaluation is deeper than public reputation.

d. Remain Humble When People Praise You (Proverbs 27:2) — Scripture teaches that praise should come from another person rather than from our own lips.

Biblical Example: Jesus refused to seek human glory and continually directed attention to the Father who sent Him (John 5:41-44).

6. REMEMBER THAT GRACE IS GREATER THAN ACHIEVEMENT

Whatever we accomplish for God must always be understood in the context of His grace.

a. Grace Makes The Difference (1 Corinthians 15:10) — Paul understood that his ministry effectiveness was not merely the product of human ability but the operation of God's grace.

b. God Uses Weak Vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7) — The treasure of the gospel is placed in earthen vessels so that the excellency of the power may clearly belong to God.

c. God Can Use Ordinary People (Acts 4:13) — Peter and John were recognised as ordinary men, yet their boldness demonstrated that they had been with Jesus.

d. Depend On God's Strength (Zechariah 4:6) — God's work is accomplished not merely through human might or power but through His Spirit.

Biblical Example: Gideon's army was reduced from thousands to only three hundred men so that Israel would not boast that its own strength had achieved the victory (Judges 7:2-7).

7. LET YOUR BOAST BECOME WORSHIP

When we understand that God is the source of our blessings and achievements, boasting is transformed into worship.

a. Give God Thanks (Psalm 100:4) — Thanksgiving recognises God's goodness and prevents blessings from becoming occasions for self-exaltation.

b. Give God The Glory (Psalm 115:1) — Glory belongs to God, not to human beings. Our lives should continually point people towards Him.

c. Testify About God's Faithfulness (Psalm 34:2) — Testimony is a legitimate way of celebrating God's work when the focus remains on what He has done.

d. Praise God In Every Season (Habakkuk 3:17-18) — True worship continues even when circumstances are difficult because God remains worthy regardless of circumstances.

Biblical Example: Mary responded to God's extraordinary work in her life with worship, declaring the greatness of the Lord rather than boasting in herself (Luke 1:46-49).

8. SEEK THE LORD'S APPROVAL ABOVE ALL ELSE

The highest form of success is to be approved by God. Human recognition may change, but God's approval is eternal.

a. Please God Rather Than People (Galatians 1:10) — A servant of Christ must not make human approval the controlling standard of ministry.

b. Seek God's Commendation (Matthew 25:21) — The ultimate reward is hearing the Master's commendation for faithful service.

c. Remain Faithful To The End (Revelation 2:10) — God's servants must remain faithful regardless of changing circumstances or levels of public recognition.

d. Let Your Life Point To Christ (John 3:30) — John the Baptist demonstrated the proper attitude when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Biblical Example: Paul completed his ministry with confidence that he had fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

CONCLUSION

The believer's greatest boast is not wealth, education, position, popularity, possessions, achievements, or human recognition. Our greatest boast is the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything we have comes through His grace, and every genuine achievement in ministry ultimately depends upon His power. Therefore, we must continually direct the glory back to God.

Let your testimony become worship, let your success produce gratitude, and let your ministry point people to Christ. Do not seek to make your name great; seek to make the name of Jesus great. Human praise may come and go, but the approval of the Lord is what ultimately matters. As Paul declared, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me grace to recognise You as the source of everything I have, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, deliver me from pride, self-exaltation, and the desire for human applause, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to glory only in the Lord Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let me never take Your glory for myself, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let Your grace continue to work powerfully through my life and ministry, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to remain humble when people recognise or celebrate me, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let every achievement in my life bring glory and honour to Your name, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, deliver me from dependence on human praise and approval, in Jesus name.

9. Father, help me to remain faithful and seek Your commendation above all else, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my life, testimony, and ministry continually point people to Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk in humility and continually give God the glory.

2. The grace of God upon your life shall increase and produce lasting fruit.

3. You shall not be destroyed by pride or self-exaltation.

4. Every achievement God gives you shall become a testimony of His faithfulness.

5. You shall not live under the bondage of human approval or applause.

6. Your gifts and abilities shall be used for the glory of God.

7. The name of Jesus shall be magnified through your life and ministry.

8. You shall receive grace to remain faithful in every season of your assignment.

9. You shall receive the approval and commendation of the Lord as you faithfully serve Him.

10. From this day forward, your greatest boast shall be in the Lord, and your life shall continually bring glory to His name.