HAS GOD COMMENDED YOU?

2 Corinthians 10:12,17-18

Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

"Has the Lord commended me?", this is an important question every child of God should ask. 

It is not enough that people commend you, for can we really trust man's judgement? No!

See the way Jesus looked at it when He lived as a human with us:

John 2:23-25

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him.

But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people.

No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.

That is wisdom, for the same people who praise you today could curse you tomorrow. Many commend you openly because of what they stand to gain or to protect their own interests (that is what most people with political interests do, they would never accept the truth - the whole game is to protect their party or group so as to ensure that it appears in positive light).

However truth cannot be hidden forever!

So, we as believers what is our measuring tool? On whose commendation do we rely on? It should not be just of man but of the Heavenly Father.

We cannot afford to compare ourselves with ourselves, Paul says it is not wise:

2Corinthians 10:12b(KJV)

but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

We cannot afford to compare ourselves to others, we must measure ourselves as God does, according to what He has called us to:

2 Corinthians 10:13

We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.

It is not a competition, it is a call. We must know when we are led to do this or do that, we are in competition with No One!

Many acclaimed leaders claim authority over others who they do not even know how they came to know the Lord. People who have really worked on the liives of these people to make them who they are in Christ don't even claim this authority:

2 Corinthians 10:14-16

We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended.

Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory.

We as spiritual leaders must know the boundary and be careful not to try to take God's place in people's lives. Selah!

Many have ignored the work God has called them to because they want to remain relevant or to perpetually have authority over others, this is dangerous and can be categorized as rebellion.

For those who are put in authority must thread carefully. Remember, to whom much is given, much is expected. Moses will testify of that!

So what really is your measuring standard, has God commended you? Or are you just enjoying the flattery of people.

You may say you lead no one, this is not actually true, you lead yourself! Yes, you begin by leading yourself then you lead others - your children, wards, your subordinates etc. Everyone leads.

Listen, you are a good follower because you can lead yourself rightly! Selah

Let the Lord God be your commendation. If Christ has not commended you whose commendation then matters? Who called you?

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Help us Good Lord.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher