Let the One Who Boasts...

Let the One Who Boasts . . .

All societies have generally assigned value to the same kinds of things. Regardless of time and culture, people have desired to be strong and powerful, to have wealth and resources, and to achieve status or influence among their peers. When someone has an abundance of these things, there has been a historical trend to assign moral value to these “successes,” even among the people of God. Despite history having abundant examples of the righteous suffering (e.g. Job) and Scripture clearly teaching that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted for righteousness’ sake (2 Tim. 3:12; Matt. 5:10), there is a temptation to “buy in” to the value system of human history instead of adhering to the values of God.

One area where this “value swap” can be especially insidious is in our regard for intelligence. Christianity is not (and never has been) centered on intelligence. Allow me a moment to clarify: Christianity is reasonable and Christianity is not anti-intellectual. God created us with intelligence that is unique in all of creation, intending us to be thoughtful and reasonable. I would suggest this is a mark of God’s image upon us. Additionally, God’s Word clearly and undeniably teaches the value of wisdom and understanding. A journey through the Proverbs amply illustrates this. “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom… for the gain from her is better than gain from silver… Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor” (Prov. 3:13-16). “Get wisdom; get insight… Do not forsake her, and she will keep you” (Prov. 4:5-6). Yet the way our society “measures” intelligence and the overwhelming esteem it shows for this quality is not rooted in Scripture. I fear we have substituted intelligence for wisdom with very little concern given to the consequences of doing so.

Wisdom, as praised in Scripture, begins with a fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7), is built on knowledge of his will (Col. 1:9), and produces lives characterized by obedience to Jesus and good fruit (Matt. 7:24-25; Col. 1:10). Intelligence, as praised by the world at large, doesn’t have to include any of these qualities. While wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of God are important areas in which every Christian should be growing, intelligence is never spoken of in Scripture as being central to the development of our faith. This mismatch between what God praises and what the world values should not surprise us, because “the wisdom of this world is folly with God” (1 Cor. 3:19). If intelligence were the measure of a Christian, we would only be as righteous as we are smart. “Consider your calling,” in the words of the Apostle Paul, “Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise” (1 Cor. 1:26-27). The result? “No human being might boast in the presence of God… Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Cor. 1:29,31).

Unfortunately, it is easy to let the mindset from “out there” creep “in here.” We must beware letting the values and mindset of the world become ours! James reminds us in his letter that true wisdom is demonstrated in good conduct with meekness, not in jealousy, selfish ambition, or boasting (Jas. 3:13-15). If our intelligence leads us down these “earthly, unspiritual, [and] demonic” paths, we can be sure that the “wisdom” we have is not the wisdom from above. “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas. 3:17-18). Being perceived as wise is not the same as truly having wisdom. Intelligence cannot serve as a proxy for spirituality or faith in our own lives or in our estimation of others. Whatever our “degree” of intelligence, it is a gift that we have received only through the grace of God to use for his glory. May God have mercy on us when we use the gifts he has given us to elevate ourselves, demean others, and adopt the carnal, prejudicial values of the world. As the Lord said through Jeremiah (and the Apostle Paul referenced in his letter to the Corinthians), “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands me and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD” (Jer. 9:23-24).

- Noah Diestelkamp

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Weeping With Those Who Weep

Joseph Bayly was an American author and publishing executive who lost three of his children at young ages.  He once wrote:

“I was sitting torn by grief.  Someone came and talked to me of God’s dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave.  He talked constantly, he said things I knew were true.  I was unmoved, except to wish he’d go away. He finally did.”

“Another came and sat beside me. He didn’t talk. He didn’t ask leading questions. He just sat beside me for an hour and more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply and left.  I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go.”

                       Lesson: It takes wisdom to know what is the best way
to comfort someone who is grieving.

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There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take
the credit.  Try to be in the first group - there’s less competition there.

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