For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9
There’s two different kinds of boasting. There’s the "look-at-me" kind of boasting that says "I did it all." And then there’s the "look-at-God" kind of boasting that says God is doing a wonderful work in the lives of His children.
How liberating it is to find that distinction! God is doing a fantastic work in us — in you and in me. He’s put us exactly where He wants us in history. He is making an end run around the devil’s agenda for our lives, by using all the damage and sin as opportunities for repair and repentance. (Repentance, remember, is a gift from God – 2 Timothy 2:25.) Here we are with trials that we can’t figure out, and God is taking all our pain and bewilderment and using them to bring out the indestructible you and me buried deep inside. You and I each have something of incredible value to offer one another and to offer our world.
It is true that we have this treasure in jars of clay. But where is our focus going to be — on the treasure or on the clay?
No, we can’t boast about the clay. But who would want to? We have much bigger and better things to brag about.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
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