[Discoveries] 06-23-08 Boasting -- Ephesians 2:8-9

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*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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