Who does the Lord commend?

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Biblehub)

“If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us, this would be a good method to keep us humble. The apostle fixes a good rule for his conduct; namely, not to boast of things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed to him. There is not a more fruitful source of error, than to judge of persons and opinions by our own prejudices. How common is it for persons to judge of their own religious character, by the opinions and maxims of the world around them! But how different is the rule of God’s word! And of all flattery, self-flattery is the worst. Therefore, instead of praising ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves to God. In a word, let us glory in the Lord our salvation, and in all other things only as evidences of his love, or means of promoting his glory. Instead of praising ourselves, or seeking the praise of men, let us desire that honour which cometh from God only.”

It isn’t what we ‘know’ …but Him who “knows” us. Self-flattery is the slippery slope from pride. Oh… how dangerous it is to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think!

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

Being able to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit will take a very sensitive heart to His conviction He is pointing at in our daily behavior. If we are to even become slightly spiritually mature – this discipline of surrender to His conviction – along with quick confession, and repentance will have to be the ongoing practice in our daily lives.

Would the Lord Jesus… ‘commend you’? Does He see your faithfulness to Him in the place that no one else sees? Can Jesus trust you to listen to Him? Can He trust you to follow His instructions in the moment? Is your heart truly focused Him? These questions cut me to the core.

Oh Lord Jesus …help me! Holy Spirit… I SO need YOU!

Who am I … really? Am I essentially in my core …the ‘life and character of Jesus’? Is the essence of Jesus oozing out of me – so much so that it invades the space and people around me? I am NOT talking about Christian-eze platitudes, or long and lengthy spiritually sounding prayers, or being able to preach in an exciting manner with great illustrations. This is NOT about outward performance but REAL authentic character development into the ‘life of Christ’. Jesus being at the absolute CENTER of your life and being… in EVERYTHING. This is what the Lord sees. The real us. Can we be spiritually sensitive enough… to listen to Him?

Have you ever considered what it means to be … authentic? Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit what being authentic really means? How real are you … with yourself? Who knows you more …than you know yourself? Maybe your Creator? Who is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)? Can we accept what Jesus says about who we are?

Father YOU are our Creator! Jesus YOU are our Salvation and righteousness! Holy Spirit YOU are our life! Lord… I want to live in YOUR Presence! Come Lord Jesus! Speak to us Holy Spirit!