Day 29: 1 Corinthians 16 - 2 Corin. 9 Opening Reflection

BOASTING…

            Once again in 2^nd Corinthians we hear this notion of boasting.  It is an ongoing theme through out 2^nd Corinthians, however, the notion of boasting is rectified ultimately with our prescribed text today (2 Corin. 10:17-18): “Let the one who boast, boast in the Lord, for it is not those who commend them selves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends

Paul is obviously fed up with people who say they are something and boast about what they do or have become and are really not.  I can see Paul, once known as Saul, coming around now – today, 2007 – I know not in Trinity but maybe stand outside the doors and talk to those passing by: YOU FOOLS, YOU SAY YOU ARE CHRISTIANS, BUT HOW IS THAT SO?

Paul goes through a long list of hardships – Paul says I have been though many trials and tribulations, been beaten, jailed, stoned, and shipwrecked, but all of these latter things made Paul stronger.  Therefore Paul boasts about his hardships because they make him Stronger in Christ.  I wonder what would happen if every time we went through hardships, we would begin to grasp them in a positive light and boast about them because we know they will make us stronger?Paul says: “Examine yourself to see whether you are living in Faith.  Test Yourself.  Do you realize that Jesus Christ is in YOU?” – DO YOU PASS THE TEST?FAITHFULNESS…IS THE KEY

            Galatians speaks to our times, just like it did in its intended era 1^st century CE, where people will preach things other than God and Jesus Christ the Savior.  Galatians emphasizes various social issues: Racism, Classism and many other Social “isms”.  What is the “Circumcision Faction” today?

 What ever the Case I believe Paul’s one resounding point in his writing is this: “the one who is righteous will live by Faith.”