Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective.

Nobody likes someone who boasts. We’ve all been at that dinner party where one of the other guests can’t stop talking about themselves and all their accomplishments. What a bore! Yet, if the truth were known we’re all private boasters in some way. It may be our good looks. Maybe it’s our superior education or intellect. It may be our money or social status. Perhaps we feel that we have fared better than others in raising our kids the “right way”. Then again, maybe we flatter ourselves that we’ve attained a higher standard of ethics or morality than most. Maybe even, it’s that we pat ourselves on the back for our “spirituality” or religious pursuits. Whatever it is, we all tend to be closet boasters.

But what does this boast gain us in our status before God? Well, the Prophet Jeremiah records these penetrating words. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD….” (Jeremiah 9). From God’s perspective nothing else really matters except knowing Him. Being in a loving and obedient relationship with your Creator is the very point of life.

So, what about you? What’s your private boast? Do you have God’s perspective on what really matters?

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“This is what the Lord says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.”

~ Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NASB)