Passage of the Day - 2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Well I took a couple weeks off because of the arrival of my new born son. Samuel James was born on May 10th - Mother’s Day. What a joy it is to be a Daddy “again”. As he slept on my chest last night I was thanking God that he allows and invites us to participate in such an adventure. Though the task certainly has its challenges and requires things of us that some are not willing to give. By God’s design, being a parent forces us to reconcile the selfish parts of our hearts that are much more interested in self preservation and self satisfaction than a life defined by love.

It is with that in mind that I read todays chapter and was struck by the final verse: When people commend themselves it doesn’t mean much. Commend - to praise, to justify one’s self, to show worthy of something or someone…meaningless. The important thing is what God commends. Do you believe that? I mean, do I even believe that?

We live in a world that seeks the praise of others and even the praise or commendation of self. You hear it when people say: how can I love others if I don’t love myself.  What does the Lord commend?

Matthew 5:3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Luke 12:32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

John 12:24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

There is a mystery to the message of Christ. And Paul is reminding us that the praise of man or even the ways in which we try to self talk ourselves to positive places are meaningless. Our only hope, our only care, our sole focus should be on what does Jesus praise and commend? and how are we focusing, pursuing, and living that?

What are the thoughts that have held your mind captive to meaningless things this week?

PRAY: Take a moment and ask God to help you think about the things that are really important to Him. Pray that God would free you from the meaningless things that your mind is captive to.